Breakthrough T1D Blog

Breakthrough T1D Canada is excited to continue its successful partnership with the Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN) and announce a fourth cohort of co-funded trainees beginning in 2026.  CIRTN was established in 2020 as a world-class training and research network with joint contributions from the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Manitoba, […]

Stephanie Atkinson, a Montreal, QC based adult Breakthrough T1D Canada ambassador, sat down with the organization to discuss what drew her to volunteering and what it’s like to be diagnosed as a busy mother and businesswoman. Tell us a little bit more about yourself My name is Stephanie Atkinson. I’m a mom of four, a […]

What does a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) look like? Authors: Katie Bartel, Beth Miller, Tony Lucas, Benjamin Mammon, for The Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC T1D Lived Advisory Group That was the question that the Type 1 Diabetes Lived Experience Advisory Group attempted to answer through a […]

Do you prefer the sweetness of a Hershey’s kiss, or maybe you like the spice of a cinnamon heart? For most of us, we can grab a handful of Valentine’s Day candy without thinking about it. But for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) every snack, every meal, every piece of food eaten must […]

On January 20, 2026 Novo Nordisk (“Novo”) and Vancouver-based Aspect Biosystems (“Aspect”), announced a new phase of their partnership focused on developing curative cell therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Since 2023, Aspect and Novo have worked together on technologies aimed at producing insulin-secreting islet cells from stem cells. Under the revised partnership, Aspect has acquired […]

Ramya (left), Dr. Bruce Verchere, Co-Director at the Centre (middle), and Dr. Benjamin Mammon, another member of the T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group (right). Photo credit: Macy Yap Type 1 diabetes stories help shape research  Ramya Hosak was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 19 while attending university. Since then, she has been a devoted volunteer, helping others navigate the challenges of T1D and the steep learning curve that accompanies a life-altering diagnosis.  As co-chair of the T1D Lived Experience […]

On January 6th, 2026, Encellin (California, Quebec) reported positive interim results of its Phase 1 clinical trial of encapsulated islets in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is being carried out in Toronto and Montreal. Trial Details:In Encellin’s trial, cadaveric human donor islets are being encapsulated in Encellin’s Encapsulated Cell Replacement Therapy (ENCRT) device and […]

While we look forward to the year ahead, we want to also reflect on 2025 and the breakthroughs we saw, in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, advocacy, community engagement, and more.  We were also able to host successful events and community initiatives across the country. Our first full year as Breakthrough T1D Canada was one […]

In recent years, rapid technological innovations related to diabetes devices like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors have significantly helped many people manage their T1D. An exciting new development is underway into continuous ketone monitors (CKM), and Breakthrough T1D is both funding research in this area and shaping recommendations for how they could be used. […]

In addition to funding research, a key component of Breakthrough T1D’s research strategy is the promotion and knowledge translation of clinical trials. Here we report on recent results from international trials relevant to our type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. To see if there is actively recruiting research that you can be part of, see our […]

It feels like it happens every year, the months go by in a flash and before you know it, the holiday season is upon us. And now it’s time to find that perfect gift for those closest to you. Breakthrough T1D is here to take some of the stress out of gift-giving and we’ve put […]

In young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), nearly all insulin-producing cells are destroyed before they can mature, helping explain why the progression of T1D is more aggressive in early childhood. The study, published in Science Advances, ahead of World Diabetes Day, was funded by the UK Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge– a partnership between […]