No insulin is needed! A miniature pancreas for diabetics was created in Israel

The Guardian writes about a remarkable invention by Israeli scientists that can save many human lives.

Irina Ziganshina

Jerusalem-based Betalin Therapeutics has unveiled a new development - a tiny "bio-artificial" pancreas designed for people with type 1 diabetes, as well as for those with type 2 diabetes requiring insulin therapy. Having such a micro-pancreas, you can refuse insulin injections and constant monitoring of blood sugar levels.

The development is a biological scaffold created from pig lung tissue that contains beta cells. These cells release insulin based on the patient's blood sugar level. An artificial pancreas is miniature in size - it can hardly be seen with the naked eye, and is implanted under the skin of the thigh under local anesthesia.

According to scientists, their technology allows the body to heal itself on its own and works against various diseases, although the first development concerns diabetes. The company plans to begin testing its invention in the UK early next year. It has already approved another method of treating type 1 diabetes, the Edmonton Protocol, in which beta cells are implanted in the liver. But Betalin Therapeutics believes their invention is more reliable, durable and cheaper, if the last word is appropriate: the cost of a bio-artificial pancreas is likely to be more than $ 40,000.

The trial, involving 400,000 people, is planned for several hospitals, starting next year. And by 2024, the company hopes to bring its invention to market. By the way, its advisory committee includes two American scientists - Nobel laureates in chemistry with diabetes - Sidney Altman and Arie Worschel.