Les 20 ans qui suivirent la découverte de l'insuline

The 20 years following the resounding discovery of insulin in 1921 at Toronto (Canada) were marked by several challenges not least of which was transforming pancreatic extracts to a drug. A strong collaboration between university and industrial partners allowed for the development of this new therapeutic tool. Wide clinical trials, standardization of insulin units, massive production, and organization of an international distribution were some of the main significant steps along the way of insulinotherapy. The development of purified insulin and long acting compounds were achieved during these 20 years and before the accidentally death of Banting, one of the main discover of insulin, in 1941. Last but not least, during this period diabetes moved from an acute to a chronic disease needing new clinical conceptions and new therapeutical goals leading to the creation of a new discipline, diabetology.