Below are significant results linked to the largest annual diabetes congress that just concluded which highlight exciting advances, many of which were enabled by the generous support of our donors.
- In Prevention: an updated analysis of a clinical trial showed that a drug called teplizumab can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by up to 3 years compared with placebo. What’s more, the drug actually improved beta cell function, suggesting a reversal of early disease processes. This drug will continue to be tested by Provention Bio, a company supported by the JDRF T1D Fund, and if successful could be the first immune therapy on the market for T1D.
- In Cure: two different clinical trials (Janssen’s T1GER trial and Novo Nordisk’s trial of liraglutide + anti-IL-21) reported efficacy of two new approaches to slow T1D progression or even induce remission in adults or children with recent onset T1D. These results indicate that we are moving quickly towards having multiple disease-modifying therapies available for T1D – a big increase from zero! In addition, several JDRF-funded investigators presented updates summarizing exciting forward momentum in the area of beta cell replacement.
- In Devices: there has been a flurry of research results and new approvals announced in the past week. JDRF played a critical role in laying the groundwork for regulatory approval of diabetes devices and continues to partner with many device companies internationally. In research, impressive results were released on Medtronic’s MiniMed 780G advanced hybrid closed-loop system, which was also approved in Europe on June 11th. Research results were also announced on the Omnipod 5 and other closed-loop systems in development. Finally, Abbott’s Freestyle Libre device was approved by the US FDA on June 15th for adults and children 4 and up – overall, indicating a rapidly increasing number of options for easier, safer T1D management. We will keep you posted on new device approvals in Canada, which we anticipate will be plentiful in the coming years, and about our advocacy efforts to increase accessibility and affordability of devices, the main aim of our #AccessforAll campaign.
We are incredibly grateful to you, for your commitment and support as we work together to move type 1 diabetes research forward faster than ever. Accelerating the pace of research is critical and this could not happen without your support.
