Endocrinology
Insmed, a biopharmaceutical company located in Virginia’s Biotechnology Research Park, makes a proprietary delivery compound of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) bound to its primary binding protein, IGFBP-3. Administered by injection, it’s amazingly versatile; it can: improve blood sugar levels and reduce insulin use in diabetics, improve muscle rebuilding and reduce inflammation in burns, and improve functional recovery and bone mineral density in hip fractures. SomatoKine(R) is now in Phase III clinical trial to help kids with a severe growth disorder–and results are positive.