Charles Best and Dr. Frederick Banting

Abstract

In 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting, a young Canadian surgeon, and his assistant Charles Best, developed a pancreatic extract, insulin, that saved the life of a 14-year-old boy with diabetes. However, the Toronto team could produce small doses of insulin. Dr. James B. Collip, professor of biochemistry at Edmonton University, joined the effort. Declaring he was unable to solve the problem of potency loss and instability, he withdrew from the project.Destination Indiana Eli Lilly and Company - Insulin Journe