The Heart Behind the Discovery: How Clinical Research Brought Us Insulin

How was insulin actually discovered?

The story of insulin is one of heart and hustle. In the summer of 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best worked in a tiny, hot laboratory at the University of Toronto. They believed the pancreas held a secret "internal secretion" that could control blood sugar.

They weren't the first to try, but they were the first to find a way to extract it without destroying its power. Their persistence turned an "island" of cells in the body into a lifeline for millions.

Why did it need clinical research?

Having a great idea is only the first step. To save lives, the discovery had to be tested safely and ethically. In early 1922, a 14-year-old boy named Leonard Thompson was dying from diabetes.

He became the first person to receive a clinical injection of insulin. Within days, his dangerously high blood sugar dropped, and he was pulled back from the brink of death. This first human trial proved that insulin was not just a scientific theory—it was a miracle in practice.

What does this mean for our West Valley community?

While insulin changed the world, we know that research hasn't always included everyone. Today, many underrepresented populations still face higher risks for diabetes and prediabetes.

At Kalo, we believe that for medicine to be safe for everyone, it must be studied with everyone. We are here to make sure that the next big discovery includes the voices of our Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and underserved neighbors in the Salt Lake region. We believe research should represent real lives and real communities.

Is clinical research safe today?

Safety has come a long way since the 1920s. Today, every study follows strict ethical and regulatory guidelines to protect your dignity and your health.

When you join a study at Kalo, you aren't a "subject"—you are a partner in progress. You help us ensure that treatments work for people who look like you and live in your neighborhood. We prioritize your dignity and informed understanding above all else.

Interested in joining our research community? You can check out our Active Trials and see if you may be a fit.

Do you have more questions? Check out our FAQs or reach out. We'd love to talk and answer any questions you may have.

In gratitude, we thrive!