Humulin L, LENTE, human insulin (recombinant DNA origin) zinc suspension
Humulin L, LENTE, human insulin (recombinant DNA origin) zinc suspension
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- Description (Brief)
- Humulin is human insulin used for treating diabetes. Prior to its development, diabetics used insulin isolated from pig and cow pancreases. Developed by Genentech, the first American biotechnology company, Humulin was licensed to Eli Lilly and became the first marketable product created through recombinant DNA technology. Its licensing by the FDA in October 1982 also made it the first recombinant pharmaceutical approved for use in the United States.
- Recombinant pharmaceuticals are created by inserting genes from one species into a host species, often yeast or bacteria, where they do not naturally occur. The genes code for a desired product, and therefore the genetically modified host organisms can be grown and used as a kind of living factory to produce the product. In this case, genes coding for human insulin are inserted into bacteria. Bacteria produce insulin, which is harvested and used as the active ingredient in Humulin.
- Humulin L is an intermediate-acting insulin with a slower onset of action than regular insulin and a longer duration of activity (up to 24 hours). Due to declining use of longer-acting insulins, Humulin L was discontinued in 2005.
- Object consists of a white cardboard box with black and red printing. Box contains two product inserts and a round, clear glass bottle with an orange plastic cap and white label. Bottle contains a white substance suspended in a clear solution.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- humulin
- biological, human insulin
- pharmaceutical
- biological
- human insulin
- date made
- 1987
- maker
- Eli Lilly and Company
- place made
- United States: Indiana, Indianapolis
- Physical Description
- human insulin (recombinant DNA origin) (drug active ingredients)
- cardboard (container material)
- paper (container material)
- glass (container material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 3/4 in x 1 5/16 in x 1 5/16 in; 6.985 cm x 3.33375 cm x 3.33375 cm
- ID Number
- 1987.0790.04
- accession number
- 1987.0790
- catalog number
- 1987.0790.04
- Credit Line
- Eli Lilly and Company (through Carol Edgar)
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- Health & Medicine
- Biotechnology and Genetics
- Recombinant Pharmaceuticals
- Science & Mathematics
- Diabetes
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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