Sugar is the basic source of fuel for many of the body's organs. The body produces a hormone called insulin that "unlocks" the cells of the body and lets sugar move from the blood into the cells, where it can be used for energy. Insulin's job is to tightly control the amount of sugar in the blood and keep it within a narrow range.

In people with diabetes, either the body does not make enough insulin, or it does not respond to the action of the insulin. As a result, the amount of sugar in the blood is not properly controlled by insulin and builds up in the blood, becoming too high. Over time, too much sugar in the blood can cause serious medical problems in the different organs in the body.

There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes – People with type 1 diabetes do not make insulin at all. Only about 5% to 10% of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes – Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin or the body cannot respond to the insulin the right way.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is currently conducting a clinical trial to study an investigational medication for Type 2 Diabetes. If you would like to see if you qualify to participate click on the button below.

To view all Novartis clinical trials recruiting in the U.S., visit NovartisClinicalTrials.com