Diabetes affects over 500 million people worldwide. In Canada alone, over 11.7 million individuals live with diabetes or prediabetes. For many of these individuals, daily insulin injections are essential—but the physical and emotional toll of frequent injections is significant. Children, older adults, and people with needle anxiety are particularly affected, and they often struggle to maintain consistent treatment. To improve access and adherence, a research team at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is developing a new insulin formulation designed for sublingual use. Absorbed under the tongue, this drop-based therapy offers an alternative to traditional injections and is on track to simplify daily diabetes care.
Making Sublingual Insulin Work
The sublingual route has long been studied for drug delivery, but there are major challenges to delivering large biologic molecules like insulin by this route. The proteins in these molecules are easily broken down in the gastrointestinal tract and struggle to cross the tight barriers of the oral mucosa. To overcome these challenges, the UBC formulation uses EndoEase™—a delivery platform developed by Sinedore. EndoEase™ incorporates cell-penetrating peptides (EEP) derived from fish proteins, which help transport insulin through the sublingual tissue and into the bloodstream. In preclinical studies, only formulations containing EEP successfully delivered insulin systemically by the sublingual route. Without these enhancers, insulin remained trapped at the absorption site and because of this had minimal therapeutic effect. EndoEase™’s targeted approach addresses a fundamental challenge in oral biologics: how to cross mucosal barriers without compromising drug integrity.
Reducing the Hidden Costs of Injections
Daily insulin injections are more than just inconvenient. They carry long-term risks such as site infections, cross-contamination, and needle waste—all of which contribute to healthcare system strain and can reduce quality of life for patients. The UBC research team evaluated various formats, including nasal and buccal options, before selecting the sublingual drop. It offered the best balance of absorption efficiency, patient comfort, and formulation stability. As the team continues refining the formulation, sublingual insulin may soon advance into clinical development.
Broader Potential for EndoEase™
Insulin is only the beginning. The EndoEase™ platform versatile by design and may be adapted to deliver other macromolecular drugs—including GLP-1 receptor agonists, growth hormones, and even antibody therapies. By enabling consistent and effective delivery without injections, EndoEase™ supports both patients and providers. It can potentially reduce treatment fatigue, improve adherence, and expand access for people managing chronic conditions at home. At Sinedore, we are building delivery technologies that fit into real life. Because not only medicines should evolve; how people receive care should evolve too.
