<1921> Insulin-based products (glycine insulin)

Humans discovered and purified insulin in the 1920s and have saved countless diabetics since its launch.

<1956> Sulfonylureas (Glimepiride)

The first generation of sulfonylureas was marketed in 1956, and after decades of development, they have become the most important component of oral hypoglycemic agents. As insulin secretion promoters, their mechanism is to act directly on the sulfonylurea receptors on the pancreatic β-cell membrane to promote insulin secretion and enhance the excitatory effect of postprandial hyperglycemia on insulin release.

<1957> Biguanides (metformin)

As an insulin sensitizer, metformin was first marketed in 1957 and underwent a tortuous development until 2005, when the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) recommended metformin as a first-line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

<1986 > α-glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose)

The first α-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose was marketed in Switzerland in 1986, and its mechanism of action is to reversibly and competitively inhibit α-glucosidase on the brush border of the small intestine, slowing down the rate of breakdown of starch into maltose and glucose and the rate of breakdown of sucrose into glucose, slowing down the absorption of sugar and thus lowering postprandial blood glucose.

<1998> Non-sulfonylureas (Repaglinide)

Also acting as an insulin secretion promoter, its mechanism of action is to stimulate insulin release by inhibiting ATP-sensitive potassium channels on the membrane of insulin β-cells, resulting in the inward flow of calcium ions.

<1999> Thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone)

The insulin sensitizer pioglitazone was launched in the U.S. in 1999, but drew heavy fines from a U.S. federal court in April 2014 for allegedly concealing the cancer-causing risks associated with the product.

<2005> GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide)

The first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist was launched in 2005. Liraglutide, the original product of Novo Nordisk, was approved by EU in 2009 and by FDA in 2010.

<2006> DPP-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin)

Since the body's own production of GLP-1 is highly susceptible to degradation by the body's dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4), to solve this problem, humans have developed DPP-4 inhibitors to keep the body's own production of GLP-1 from being degraded.

<2013> SGLT2 inhibitors

A new mechanism of SGLT2 inhibitors is marketed, which selectively blocks SGLT2 function and specifically inhibits renal reabsorption of glucose, allowing excess glucose to be excreted in the urine, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.

<2014> New insulin inhaler and the inhaled drug Afreeza

In 2014 the FDA approved Mann Kind of California's new insulin inhaler and inhaled drug, Afreeza, for the treatment of patients with diabetes, which allows patients to control their insulin levels by inhaling the dry, powdered drug.

<2019> Oral Somalutide - Rybelsus

On September 20, 2019, the FDA formally approved the marketing application for Novo Nordisk Rybelsus (oral somatropin, once daily) for use in combination with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.