Mumbai: The Indian generic major Cipla Ltd may soon be ready with inhalable insulin. Reliable sources say the company is currently working on both dry powder as well as aerosol technology platforms for insulin. The first one will be absorbed through the mouth (buccal), whereas the aerosol form will be delivered through the pulmonary route.

As it eliminates the need for injection, the inhalable formulation of insulin is considered one of the interesting therapeutic approaches. Apart from Cipla, there are already five international companies that are working to develop the inhalable form of insulin.

Inhalable insulin, nevertheless, poses many challenges. Unlike injectable insulin, just 15-to-20 per cent of the aerosol form gets absorbed through the lung route. This warrants for a dosage of four-to-five times more than the conventional injection range.

Again, the increased dose can trigger antibody formation and this can lead to resistance. At present, the sources say, Cipla is trying to get over this problem.

Another issue the company is likely to face is on the patent front. It may have to skirt the issue of patent infringement for this proprietary technology. Getting its technology through the patent maze and gaining acceptance could well pose a real challenge for Cipla.

Inhalable insulin holds a lot of promise in the global diabetes market. Despite minor disadvantages, inhalable insulin has a faster mode of action almost comparable to the rapid-acting insulin analogues, and it also clears faster than injectable insulin, data suggest. This painless delivery mechanism also averts the risk of infection from contaminated needles.

India is a major insulin market with the highest percentage of diabetics in the world. But Cipla will be eyeing more towards the developed markets with a generic push, it is learnt.

The US-based Inhale, in association with Aventis and Pfizer, has developed a new dry powder insulin formulation, together with a special delivery system that allows reproducible dosing of insulin by inhalation.

Novo Nordisk is the other pharma company working in this highly specialised area of drug delivery. Others include Eli Lilly, Becton Dickinson, Aerogen and Pharmaceutical Discovery Cooperation.