Cambridge, MA, July 16, 2026 — Project Insulin has begun drug development on its biosimilar insulin glargine. The organization is the first nonprofit to develop its own insulin glargine through its partnership with a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). Project Insulin will sell its insulin glargine directly to patients at cost, regardless of insurance status.
“Today is the biggest day in our organization’s history. In 2021 we set out to make our own insulin. Today we have officially started. It is a testament to the hard work of our team, the importance of our mission, and the validation we have received from the community about tackling insulin affordability.” — Eric Moyal, Executive Director, Project Insulin
Work is now underway at the organization’s CDMO partner and will include strain development, process and analytical development, scale-up planning, and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) drug substance manufacturing to support future preclinical and clinical studies. These activities will form the scientific foundation required to advance Project Insulin’s biosimilar insulin glargine toward regulatory review and ultimately to market.
“Our partner’s end-to-end capabilities from process development through to cGMP manufacture will provide what we need to start our journey of delivering high-quality, affordable insulin at scale. By leveraging their capabilities and innovative approach to process development, we can close the gap in access to insulin. We now have the team, the partner, and the drive to deliver on a plan we have been extremely excited to begin.” — Allison Ortigosa, Chief Scientific Officer, Project Insulin
About Project Insulin
Project Insulin is a nonprofit pharmaceutical company founded in 2021 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The organization is developing a biosimilar insulin glargine that it plans to sell directly to patients at cost, regardless of insurance status. For more information, visit projectinsulin.org.
Cambridge, MA, June 9, 2026 — Project Insulin, the nonprofit pharmaceutical company working to deliver insulin at cost to every American who needs it, today announced a strategic five-year manufacturing agreement with a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), marking the official launch of its drug development program. The organization estimates the work required to advance its biosimilar insulin glargine through preclinical development will require an investment of $7 to $8 million.
The partner is a multinational, multibillion-dollar CDMO with manufacturing operations across the United States and Europe and a track record of supporting some of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies. The agreement represents a significant validation of Project Insulin’s development strategy and provides the manufacturing infrastructure necessary to begin advancing its insulin program, with drug development scheduled to begin in July 2026.
Over 42 million Americans, more than 10% of the population, currently live with diabetes, and more than one in four rely on insulin to survive. Yet the price of insulin in the United States remains among the highest in the world, forcing 1.3 million Americans to ration their supply because they cannot afford it. Project Insulin exists to change that reality. By developing its own biosimilar insulin glargine and delivering it directly to patients at cost through community and federal health clinics, the organization removes the intermediaries that drive prices out of reach.
The new manufacturing agreement gives Project Insulin access to world-class infrastructure and expertise, positioning the organization to enter development in July 2026. The CDMO will lead microbial strain development, process and analytical development, scale-up, and current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) drug substance manufacturing to support preclinical and clinical studies. Every step of the work will follow robust quality systems aligned with applicable regulatory requirements.
“Partnering with a global CDMO of this scale validates both our scientific strategy and our operating model while accelerating our path to patients. For the first time, we have access to the manufacturing expertise, infrastructure, and development capabilities needed to move our insulin program from concept into execution.” — Allison Ortigosa, Chief Scientific Officer, Project Insulin
“We are incredibly proud of this milestone. It is the first of many to come, for Project Insulin and for the pharmaceutical industry.” — Eric Moyal, Executive Director, Project Insulin
Cambridge, MA — Project Insulin is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Allison Ortigosa as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Ortigosa brings over 18 years of experience in bioprocess development and pharmaceutical leadership, including 16 years at Merck & Co., where she played a key role in the development and commercialization of biologics and vaccines.
Dr. Ortigosa notably served as the drug substance technical lead for insulin glargine, guiding the program from laboratory scale through to commercial manufacturing. Her work has resulted in multiple publications and patents in protein purification and process innovation, helping shape global strategies for regulatory submissions, process development, and scale-up.
“I am so excited to join Project Insulin as Chief Scientific Officer at such a pivotal moment in its history and journey.” — Dr. Allison Ortigosa
Dr. Ortigosa holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Texas A&M University and completed her postdoctoral research at MIT.
“The fact that we were able to hire someone as talented and experienced as Allison is a big deal for Project Insulin. Her leadership ensures we can move forward with drug development quickly and effectively.” — Eric Moyal, Executive Director
Cambridge, MA — Project Insulin has received 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, allowing the organization to accept tax-deductible donations, grants, and sponsorships.
“Getting tax-exempt status from the IRS opens us to a wide array of funding opportunities and legitimizes our mission.” — Eric Moyal, Founder
The Cambridge-based nonprofit aspires to develop and distribute affordable insulin for people with diabetes, particularly those who are uninsured or cannot afford their copay.
Cambridge, MA, October 31, 2021 — Project Insulin is a new not-for-profit pharmaceutical company with a simple mission: sell FDA-approved insulin at cost. Between 2007 and 2016, the price of insulin rose over 295% while production costs grew just 57%. Project Insulin intends to change that.
The company will begin by producing a biosimilar of Sanofi’s Lantus, a long-acting insulin used by 19 million Americans. The cheapest existing biosimilar still costs $65 for 3mL. Project Insulin aims to go lower, using donations to directly reduce the price at the point of sale.
Founder Eric Moyal brings three years of chronic illness advocacy and four years of fundraising experience to the effort. He is joined on the governing board by attorney Sam Zuckernick and public policy researcher Gabriella Fleischman, alongside an advisory board of pharmaceutical and medical professionals.
“Without these people we wouldn’t be where we are now. It is great to know that so many people care so deeply about such an important issue.” — Eric Moyal, Founder