Celebrating 100 years since insulin trial

It’s been a century since the Medical Research Council selected the University to take part in the UK’s first clinical trials of insulin. 

In 1923, Sheffield industrialist and philanthropist Sir Stuart Goodwin became the first person with Type 1 Diabetes to be treated successfully with insulin. Before the trial, there was no treatment for diabetes. 

“When Goodwin was diagnosed, diabetes was a death sentence,” explains Professor Sheila Francis, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Medicine and Population Health. “The only way to manage the disease was a starvation diet which restricted patients to 400 calories in 24 hours.” 

Sir Stuart went on to live to the age of 83. He is reported to have donated £10,000 to the Royal Infirmary after his successful treatment. Today, Sheffield remains at the forefront of innovative diabetes research – evolving new ways to help millions of people live long and full lives.