Back in August, I noted that Mannkind - who have been developing an inhaled insulin product for many years now - had done a stock-swap deal with Seaside 88. That, I thought, was not a good sign. They're an investment group that I profiled (unfavorably) here, in reference to their dealings with Generex (another spray-insulin company, allegedly working on an oral delivery route).

Adam Feuerstein's the guy who put me on to Generex. (Last I heard, was getting sued by them for his comments, although his opinions seemed to me to be well justified. No updates on that, as far as I know). He's also recently updated the Mannkind situation, and it's not looking good. Last month the company fired about 40% of its workforce, and apparently has about enough cash on its books to make it to the end of the year. Its founder, Al Mann, has plowed a lot of his own money into the company, but on a recent conference call, he declined to say if he's going to put in any more. Mann is a real believer, and has given this his best shot. But it may not be enough.

The class-action suits are already fluttering through the air. And the bubbling tar pit that is spray-delivered insulin continues to churn.