Glucose-responsive insulin patch for the regulation of blood glucose in mice and minipigs

Glucose-responsive insulin delivery systems that mimic pancreatic endocrine function could enhance health and improve quality of life for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes with reduced β-cell function. However, insulin delivery systems with rapid in vivo glucose-responsive behaviour typically have limited insulin-loading capacities and cannot be manufactured easily. A single removable transdermal patch, bearing microneedles that had been loaded with insulin and a non-degradable glucose-responsive polymeric matrix, were manufactured by in situ photopolymerization. The device was shown to regulate blood glucose in insulin-deficient diabetic mice and minipigs (for minipigs >25 kg, glucose regulation lasted >20 h with patches of ˜5 cm2).