A drug that could help people with Type 1 diabetes is currently being trialed in the UK , which could bring an end to insulin injections in the future .

The trials arebeing runby research worker at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in Wales , who said that two patients had been given the drug in a clinical trial . This is the first time this investigational drug has been used anywhere in the world .

The drug works by serve “ beta ” cadre , which make insulin , regrow in the pancreas . masses with Type 1 diabetes , of which there are about400,000 in the UK , can not make enough of these cubicle and must top up their insulin with injections . Without insulin , glucose levels in the bloodline can become too eminent .

If this drug can be successful in spurring the regrowth of genus Beta cells , then it could think patient require to trust less on insulin injections . At the moment it is too former for the test to say whether the drug was effectual , but after 72 hour there have been no negative side effects .

“ Despite everything achieved in diabetes precaution , advance in bar have n’t really occurred , ” Dr Mohammad Alhadj Ali , who is working on the study , said in astatement . “ More insulin - producing genus Beta cells are needed for those with this form of diabetes and it is estimate that 90 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes have less than 5 per centum of insulin - making cell left . ”

The researchers are hoping for a aggregate of eight adult volunteers who have had diabetes for more than two years to take part in their study . They are also running awider program of studiesto look at other ways to uphold and regrow insulin - producing cells .

“ I ’m really thankful that I was give the opportunity to take part in this survey , ” the first affected role to receive the drug say . “ I go for that my participation will avail with the management of Type 1 diabetes for future generations . ”

Themajority of peoplewith diabetes have Type 2 , rather than Type 1 , with the former oftenlinked to obesity . A drug like this to plow the latter , however , could be “ background - breaking ” , grant to Carys Thomas from the Welsh Government ’s Health and Care Research Wales squad .

“ develop new discourse options for patient live with diabetes is a top priority for Health and Care Research Wales , ” she said . “ It is essential that the NHS works closely with the pharmaceutical industry on inquiry like this to develop drugs that could make a big divergence to people ’s lives . ”