Glucose-responsive insulin that works for a week
Official title: Development of a Once-Weekly AND Glucose-Responsive Insulin Formulation
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11403862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is developing a single-injection insulin that can regulate itself for up to a week based on your blood sugar levels to help people with adult-onset diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,661 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140257-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who rely on insulin therapy and could benefit from fewer injections and better glucose control.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not require insulin or whose diabetes is managed without daily injections may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a week-long insulin that automatically adjusts its effect depending on glucose levels, potentially reducing dosing mistakes and hypoglycemia. It builds on existing insulin forms but seeks a platform that makes insulin smarter and longer-lasting. The work involves chemistry and carrier systems to enable glucose sensing and controlled release, with the goal of simplifying diabetes management for adults. If successful, it could improve glycemic control and ease daily treatment routines for people who require insulin therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have steadier blood glucose with fewer injections and less worry about matching meals and activity to insulin doses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show promise in glucose-responsive systems, but a weekly, ready-to-inject formulation remains an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webber, Matthew — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Webber, Matthew
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.