Overview
- Researchers from Zhejiang University reported the OP‑I conjugate in Nature on Nov. 19, showing transdermal delivery across lab‑grown human skin, diabetic mice and minipigs.
- In mice and minipigs, topical OP‑I normalized blood glucose within about 1–2 hours and maintained control for roughly 12 hours, compared with around 4 hours for injected insulin in the same studies.
- The polymer exploits the skin’s pH gradient by switching charge to traverse the stratum corneum without microneedles or broad barrier disruption.
- Imaging showed the conjugate entered the bloodstream and accumulated in liver, fat and skeletal muscle, activating insulin receptors and enhancing glucose uptake.
- No acute inflammation was observed in animals, but the team notes dosing and long‑term safety must be assessed in human trials, and they are testing the platform with other biomolecules including semaglutide.