Scientists in Melbourne have designed a new type of oral capsule that could mean pain-free delivery of insulin and other protein drugs.

Co-lead researcher Professor Charlotte Conn, a biophysical chemist from RMIT University, said protein drugs had proven challenging to deliver orally as the drugs degrade very quickly in the stomach – until now.

Ms Conn told Millsy and Karl on 6PR Breakfast the capsules were going through pre-clinical trials at the moment, and they’re hoping to begin human trials as soon as possible.

“Obviously we’re really keen to get it into the clinic and into patients, but as you know with any drug formulation there’s a lot of safety tests that need to be done,” Ms Conn said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the new drug that could phase out insulin shots