In 1921, a Canadian pharmacologist co-discovered a life saving medicine. Two years later, the inventors sold the patent for just $1

In 1921, a Canadian pharmacologist co-discovered a life saving medicine that changed the treatment of diabetes. Sir Frederick Banting worked with medical student Charles Best at the University of Toronto. Biochemist James Collip helped to purify the extract, while laboratory supervisor John Macleod helped in the research to develop insulin from pancreatic tissue. It was also tested as a treatment for diabetes.

In January 1922, 14-year-old Leonard Thompson became the first person successfully treated with the extract. In 1923, Banting, Best and Collip sold their patent rights to the University of Toronto for one dollar each. Banting wanted insulin to remain accessible rather than become controlled by individuals.

In 1921, a Canadian pharmacologist co-discovered a life saving medicine

The discovery of insulin began with Banting's idea about the pancreas. He believed digestive enzymes, which were produced by the pancreas, killed insulin. To test this theory, Banting and Best tied off pancreatic ducts in dogs. It was done to isolate an extract, which was linked to the pancreas's anti-diabetic function. James Collip joined the research team between 1921 and 1922 to refine the extract.

• Banting and Best developed the early extract.
• Collip helped purify it for medical use.
• Macleod supervised the laboratory work.

The first treatment

In January 1922, 14-year-old boy Leonard Thompson became the first person to be treated with the extract. Thompson had type 1 diabetes and was being treated at a Toronto hospital. He was also close to death when doctors used the extract. The result showed that insulin could be used to treat diabetes.

Why was the insulin patent sold for $1?

In 1923, the co-inventors sold the patent to the University of Toronto for just $1 each. Banting said insulin belonged to the world and not to individuals. It allowed the University of Toronto to work with manufacturers to produce insulin on a larger scale.

Banting and Macleod received the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of insulin. Banting chose to share his prize money with Best, while Macleod shared his with Collip.