Hyperglycaemia is the principal enemy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). According to Dr James R Gavin from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Maryland, US,‘the enemy has been surrounded by currently available drugs’, but there is still plenty of room for improvement [see figure 1]. Dr Gavin discussed some of the key developments in today's treatment options for patients with NIDDM at the 55th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association [Atlanta, US; June 1995], and during other presentations, new leads on targets for drug development were reported.