The invention disclosed herein relates to novel 1-deoxy-glycopyranosides, preferably 1-deoxy-D-mannopyranosides, having in the 1-position of the pyranoside ring an .omega.-aminoalkylthio, .omega.-aminoalkyloxy or .omega.-aminoalkanoylamino substituent; and to novel processes for preparing these 1-substituted-1-deoxy-glycopyranosides starting with the corresponding tetra-O-acetyl-glycopyranosyl bromide or amine. These .omega.-amino(alkylthio, alkyloxy or alkanoylamino)-1-deoxy-glycopyranosides, and in particular 1-[(6'-aminohexyl)thio or oxy]-1-deoxy-D-mannopyranosides, possess insulin-like activity.