Oral insulin-inspired discovery using expansive DNA-encoded libraries
Official title: Developing oral drugs targeting the insulin receptor using 'Beyond Rule of 5' DEL libraries
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11441812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to find new oral drug candidates that activate the insulin receptor, potentially reducing injections for people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $368,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21TR006406-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with diabetes who rely on insulin injections and would benefit from an oral alternative.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking non-insulin diabetes therapies or those without access to experimental trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The project focuses on creating a novel screening approach that combines peptides with non-natural amino acids and macrocyclic structures to find potent insulin receptor agonists that can be taken by mouth. Researchers will build a massive DNA-encoded library (DEL) of about 180 billion compounds and test them for the right properties to be orally bioavailable. The work targets an underserved area—the insulin receptor—by exploring non-traditional chemistry to overcome the current barrier of oral bioavailability. If successful, this could lead to a new class of oral insulin-like drugs that improve daily management and reduce risk of hypoglycemia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach succeeds, patients could have an effective oral option to control blood sugar, potentially reducing injections and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior efforts to develop oral insulin have failed due to low bioavailability, so this approach explores novel chemistry to address that challenge.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dik, David — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Dik, David
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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.