Heat-Stable Insulins: Any Progress?

Abstract

Millions of people with diabetes have no or only limited access to electricity that limits their ability to store insulin according to the recommendations of the insulin manufacturer in general. At the same time, environmental temperatures are increasing in many countries which have a negative impact on the glucose-lowering effect of insulin not stored adequately. Therefore, the availability of heat-stable insulin formulations that do not require constant cooling would be of help for many patients; however, despite this clinical need, apparently not many are in clinical development. This commentary discusses the different aspects and approaches that are of relevance in this context.