World Health Organization

2021

In 1921, researchers at the University of Toronto discovered insulin, which changed the diabetes narrative forever. In keeping with a promise that insulin “belongs to the world”, the patent was sold for just one Canadian dollar. Subsequently, the private sector was engaged to improve manufacturing processes, technical know-how of insulin purification was shared, prices were reduced to improve affordability, and non-profit-making bodies were established to care for people living with type 1 diabetes.