The Discovery of Insulin
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
What happened
In 1921 Frederick Banting and Charles Best began experiments at the University of Toronto under J.J.R. Macleod to make a pancreatic extract for diabetes. James Collip then helped purify it so it was safe for people. On 23 January 1922, Leonard Thompson, a boy who was seriously ill, became the first person to receive the purified extract.
Why it matters
Insulin changed diabetes into a condition people could live with. Banting, Best and Collip gave their patent to the University of Toronto for 1 US dollar so that everyone who needed insulin could have it.
What came next
The University entered an agreement with Eli Lilly to begin large-scale production. On 25 October 1923 the Nobel Prize went to Banting and Macleod, who each shared their prize with Best and Collip.
Did you know?
Charles Best became Banting's assistant by winning a coin toss.
Timeline
- 17 May 1921Banting and Best begin experiments.
- 23 January 1922Leonard Thompson receives the purified extract.
- 25 October 1923The Nobel Prize is awarded to Banting and Macleod.