Legacy of insulin’s discovery inspires commitments of today
This package of “Insulin Toronto” was produced by Connaught Laboratories (now Sanofi) in July 1924. It was part of Lot No. 292-19, which included a total of 379 vials distributed to physicians, hospitals and individuals with diabetes across Canada. Connaught was part of the University of Toronto from 1914 to 1972; the Labs’ 100+year legacy continues at Sanofi’s Toronto site. supplied
Collaboration, innovation and patient-first mindset drive continued progress in diabetes care
Sanofi can trace a direct line back in history to the discovery of insulin 100 years ago followed by decades of insulin production for Canada. The company’s Toronto site, today a key facility within the company’s global vaccine operations, is located on the historic site of Connaught Laboratories, the forerunner to Sanofi – a major contributor to the insulin success story.
This legacy continues to inspire Sanofi today. “We are proud of our Canadian heritage as a pioneer in transforming the treatment of diabetes,” says Sabina Steinkellner, general manager of Sanofi’s General Medicines division in Canada. “As we celebrate the 100-year milestone, we are honouring the power of science and progress – power we continue to use to drive positive change for people living with diabetes.”
From the beginning, Sanofi has made the well-being of patients a priority, says Ms. Steinkellner. A century ago, that commitment fuelled an effort that saved the lives of millions of people around the world. In the 21st century, the company is focused on overcoming new challenges facing people with diabetes.
“We haven’t yet achieved the ultimate goal of maximizing the health and well-being of diabetes patients,” she says. “The global burden of diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate. Around half of all people with diabetes have uncontrolled high blood sugar, which leads to complications,” she says.
Sanofi has a global ambition of reversing the course of chronic diseases like diabetes by 2030, says Ms. Steinkellner – a bold goal in the spirit of the company’s historical contribution.
History: Vital role of Sanofi’s Connaught Labs
Medical historian Christopher Rutty’s research has brought him deep knowledge about the unique combination of people and circumstances that brought insulin to the world.
“It’s a powerful human story,” says Mr. Rutty. “Banting, Best, Macleod and Collip each contributed special skills and insights, and through collaboration, they achieved their great goal. They shared the Nobel Prize, recognizing that none could have done it alone.
“It’s also very much a Canadian story – an achievement made possible by Canada’s unique research and public health values and capacity at the time.”
When surgeon Dr. Frederick Banting first met Dr. John J. R Macleod, head of physiology at the University of Toronto (U of T), on November 7, 1920, he sought support to pursue his novel research idea – a surgical method that would isolate the islet cells in the pancreas and then extract their secretion, later called “insulin,” to study its use as a diabetes treatment. This was a significant achievement as many other researchers had failed to successfully isolate this precious “internal secretion.” The main treatment for diabetes in this era was a largely unsuccessful specialized diet.
Recognizing Dr. Banting’s expertise as a skilled surgeon to undertake the delicate pancreatic duct ligation procedure to isolate the islet cells, Dr. Macleod approved the launch of the research, which began in May 1921. “He offered Banting a lab, modest resources and the help of research fellow Charles Best, who had physiology and biochemical knowledge,” says Mr. Rutty.
“Macleod also saw the value of the unique research capacity housed in the U of T’s Connaught Antitoxin Laboratories, established in 1914. The Connaught labs were a couple of floors downstairs from where Banting and Best did their research, and he knew the experts at Connaught were right there to build on the scientists’ work and move alongside them into production of any new treatment.” That is exactly what happened.
After testing on some patients proved insulin was safe and effective in January 1922, the next step was to expand production for more clinical trials. Dr. James Bertram Collip had joined the research team to use his specialized biochemistry skills to further develop and purify the extract. Connaught Labs, with some partners, set up production, eventually moving into expanded facilities and meeting all of Canada’s insulin needs from 1922 to 1980.
“The distinctive public health/public service culture fostered within U of T’s Connaught Labs was pivotal,” Mr. Rutty says. “The U of T held the insulin discovery patent in trust, ensuring that no person or organization could establish a monopoly on its production. They were committed to a democratic, patient-first approach to make this life-sustaining daily treatment available to all who needed it, ultimately, around the world.” Connaught became a part of Sanofi in 1972.
Sanofi today: Beyond medicines
The insulin story reflects values and commitments that Sanofi continues to embody a century later: collaboration, putting the patient first and an innovative mindset, says Ms. Steinkellner.
“Looking forward, we’re exploring powerful possibilities beyond treatment to further transform the lives of individuals with diabetes,” she says. Overall patient well-being is a priority, as Sanofi seeks to reduce the burden of diabetes complications. The challenges are not the same for every person, and their needs can change over the course of their life, Ms. Steinkellner says. The company is focused on several areas where it believes it can have the greatest impact on patients living with diabetes, including:
• Using analytics and support to develop individualized care solutions so that patients can manage their diabetes simply and conveniently.
• In addition to working on scientific advances, improving patient quality of life through new digital apps and programs.
• Collaborating with partners to deliver education and support for patients and their health-care providers.
• Ensuring that approaches to treatment and patient support reflect the diversity within the patient population.
When the pandemic developed last year, the company launched Sanoficares, a digital program that supports access for patients prescribed Sanofi diabetes products. The program remains to provide patients continued support in accessing their prescribed diabetes medications.
“Choosing the right medication for the patient’s individual needs is the first step, but having the support in place so they can adhere to the protocols for managing their diabetes is critical,” Ms. Steinkellner adds. We need to make sure that we’re looking at the whole patient and providing them with the best tools to deal with the complexities of diabetes management.”
INVESTMENT IN CANADA’S VACCINE MANUFACTURING CAPACITY AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
On March 31, 2021, Sanofi – along with the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and City of Toronto – announced a $925-million investment to build a new vaccine manufacturing facility on the company’s historic Connaught site in Toronto. The project will strengthen Canada’s vaccine manufacturing capacity and pandemic preparedness, while also increasing global supply of the company’s high-dose influenza vaccine. Following design, construction, testing and qualification of the facility and equipment, the new Toronto Site facility will be operational by 2026. Currently, Sanofi Pasteur’s Toronto site manufactures millions of doses of vaccines annually that help protect against pertussis, polio, diphtheria and tetanus, among others, for more than 60 countries worldwide – including Canada.
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