The proposed gum would be for type 2 diabetes, and would be for patients who are not insulin dependant. The gum would deliver metformin to the patient through the lining of their mouth. Metformin is a traditionally used medication for diabetes. Generex, a biotechnology company, expects this type of delivery (buccal) to help overcome certain side effects of taking metformin orally.

The two companies announced their plans in early June of 2006. Generex has been a market leader for drug delivery, and Fertin has developed many other gums. Their partnership offers lots of hope for diabetics currently on medication.

Metformin Side Effects is currently taken as a pill. It can be associated with nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, among others Glucophage side effects. The idea of having metformin absorbed into the mouth is that it would prevent or minimize these effects.