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 Novo’s stem cell–derived islet and hypoimmune cell engineering technologies—designed to create insulin producing cells that can evade immune attack after transplantation into people with T1D.
Novo will continue to invest in Aspect and provide research funding, and it will retain future commercialization and royalty options. This agreement follows Novo’s October 2025 decision to discontinue its cell therapy research and development, including but not limited to, T1D islet manufacturing. As part of the transition, T1D-related research, development, and manufacturing activities will move from the U.S. and Denmark into Aspect’s Canadian platform, expanding the company’s domestic capacity.
This milestone further strengthens Canada’s leadership in T1D research and builds on the $73M Federal–Provincial (BC) investment in Aspect announced in July 2024.
What does this mean for Canadians with T1D? To cure T1D, we need to do two things: we need to protect insulin-producing beta cells from autoimmune attack, and we need to protect and restore their function. To achieve this requires developing a renewable source of cells, as well as therapies that don’t require immunosuppression, as with traditional organ and tissue transplants.
This partnership will help advance cure research that is advancing on both fronts towards the ultimate goal of freedom from insulin, for people of all ages with T1D. And it will be taking place right here in Canada.
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 Advisory Group at the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia (UBC), her perspective helps guide the Centre’s research and connect the T1D community with the researchers advancing cures. Her voice is just one of many representing a diverse group of faces and stories, working with researchers to drive innovative therapies.
Ramya’s passion is nonprofit work, specifically in social justice, community development, and equal access to healthcare. To better unite the T1D community in BC, she co-founded Young and T1, a local support group that helps young adults with T1D through the transition to adulthood.
We asked Ramya to share the reasons behind her incredible volunteering and what T1D research means to her.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: Can you tell us about your T1D diagnosis?
Ramya: I was diagnosed in my second year of university. Super tired and barely able to keep my eyes open in the lecture hall, I was constantly chastising myself. “Don’t be a wimp, everyone else is struggling with midterms and finals, get it together and toughen up, Ramya,” I thought to myself as I chugged a litre of juice.
But I kept getting weaker. Eventually, my parents dragged me to the hospital, practically carrying me to the ER. That’s when I found out, at 19 years old, that T1D can occur at any age, not just in childhood. Initially, I was relieved at the diagnosis that explained my recent exhaustion. Yet as time went on, questions arose that couldn’t be answered by medical professionals who hadn’t been in my position. My parents and friends assumed that as a responsible adult, I had things under control and was fine.
But I wasn’t fine. I went from being a student who enjoyed an active social life, going out with my friends without a second thought, to suddenly having to be so careful. I felt a need to act like everything was fine and hide the toll that the invisible full-time job of T1D was having on me, mentally and emotionally.
I stopped reaching out to my friends for fear of being seen as a complainer and not having a positive attitude. I went through a period of extreme depression, feeling like no one “got me.” But after graduating from university, I started getting better and began meeting others my age with T1D.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: What drew you to participate in the Centre’s T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group?
Ramya: My undergraduate degree was in Health Sciences, and research has always held an interest for me, particularly as my mom is a cancer researcher. I’ve grown up hearing about her excitement, disappointments, and long days/nights that come along with being a researcher. I respect this work immensely, and to be able to work with researchers who are working so hard to find a cure for diabetes and bridge the gap for those living with T1D has always been very important to me. Similarly, I love the questions researchers ask me about living with T1D and helping them to understand why their hard work truly matters.
Photo credit: Macy Yap
Breakthrough T1D Canada: How do you feel about the cure research happening at the Centre?
Ramya: Excited! Not just for me, but for the future generation! I truly believe a cure is in sight, and having had my first child recently (September 2025), the potential to eliminate T1D in the generations to come is such a wonderful thought.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: What research excites you most?
Ramya: I find Dr. Megan Levings’ work on immune system regulation as it relates to T1D particularly interesting. I work at the Kidney Foundation of Canada and have seen her work in the transplant field come up as well. It’s exciting to see research in immunology having the potential to lead to additional breakthroughs in other health-related issues.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: What are your hopes for the future of diabetes?
Ramya: My hope is that within the next generation, T1D markers can be identified in at-risk patients before disease onset or at early onset, and the correct therapies can indefinitely prevent it from fully taking place (by preserving remaining beta cell function, etc.).
“The real glory would be never having to carb-count, constantly be checking my blood levels and worrying about how every variable of life impacts my glucose numbers and therefore how I feel physically and emotionally throughout the day with this 24/7 invisible job. So much mental space would be freed up.”
Ramya with her husband, Mark, who also lives with T1D (diagnosed at age 10), and their newborn daughter.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: What prompted you to launch Young and T1?
Ramya: Upon diagnosis, I started volunteering for Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF), and when working with youth ambassadors, it was so amazing to hear kids meet other kids who shared the same diagnosis. They told stories of bullying at school when their pumps were seen as strange, compared pump colours with each other, and it was just so normal.
I really wanted a community that “got” what living with T1D in adulthood felt like. T1D gets lonely. I hear this a lot. Young people at this transition stage often feel uncomfortable speaking with their doctor or parents about complex issues that arise for an adult with T1D. Thirteen years ago, I did not realize what an awesome resource Young and T1 would be—for myself and now over 700 individuals in BC—for learning and sharing with one another.
Through meeting folks with similar daily struggles, and living with my husband Mark, who also has T1D, I have learned that all bodies are different. One size does not fit all in T1D management, and getting as much information available to us as possible is important. By conveying our struggles and successes with one another, we all benefit from shared knowledge.
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Breakthrough T1D Canada is grateful to Ramya for sharing her story and helping our researchers accelerate breakthroughs. Knowledge sharing is critically important not just among the T1D community but also among the researchers who will one day bring cures to the community.
Breakthrough T1D oversees T1D research worldwide to ensure that teams are collaborating and sharing learnings. The Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC is a prime example of that collaboration in action, with over 40 multidisciplinary researchers working together to tackle all angles of cure research.
The Centre is a key pillar of our $100M Campaign to Accelerate, a national campaign with a global impact. Read about research highlights from year 4 of the Centre’s three interconnected research themes advancing cures here.
Philanthropic donors are advancing promising cure research in BC and around the world. To learn more about these exciting projects or to make a leadership gift, please contact:
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 implanted into adults with T1D. This first-in-human trial is assessing (1) safety and adverse events, (2) cell survival within the device, and (3) fibrosis, or scarring, around the implants.
Interim Results: As planned, ENCRT devices were removed from the initial five participants after 4 months of implantation. Analysis of the removed devices show:
minimal to no fibrosis (formation of scar tissue around the device);
robust formation of blood vessels around the device;
viable islets inside the device.
These results indicate that the device has the potential to host islet cells while maintaining sufficient oxygen and nutrient flow for the cells to work effectively.
Historically, macroencapsulation devices (which act like a teabag to enclose the islet cells) have had limited success due to high levels of fibrosis that prevents cell survival, reduces the ability of the cells to access oxygen and nutrients, and limits the release of insulin. The preliminary finding that fibrosis is not occurring with Encellin’s device is therefore a critical step toward overcoming the barrier of fibrosis with islet encapsulation devices and advancing the development and delivery of cell-based therapies for people with T1D.
We will continue to report updated results as they become available.
Breakthrough T1D’s Role: Encellin’s technology was originally developed within the Lab of Dr. Tejal Desai (University of California San Francisco) with funding from Breakthrough T1D, which was crucial in the formation of Encellin as a company and attracting subsequent venture capital.
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 of impact. And while we may have a new name, our mission and commitment to the T1D community didn’t change; it was only strengthened.
Our incredible community of donors, volunteers, and supporters are the heart and soul of everything we do, and thanks to them it was a transformative year. We committed substantive funding to research, further developed partnerships in academia with new fellowships and grants, continued to support newly-diagnosed people, and our adult T1D community, reinforcing our commitment to being a source of trusted information and support to all Canadians affected by T1D, at any age and any stage of their journey with this chronic disease.
Curing T1D is and remains our north star, while we work to improve the lives today of the estimated 300,000 Canadians with T1D until we have a world free from type 1 diabetes.
Launched ‘Beyond the Numbers’, a compelling video series that features real stories about mental health challenges and T1D
Seeing improvements in device access in Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan, while continuing to advocate to other provincial and federal governments for increased support
Reaching thousands of Canadians impacted by T1D through our Breakthrough T1D Education Series, bringing experts into their homes to discuss topics important to them.
Thanks to donors to the $100M Campaign to Accelerate, the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC marks four years of innovation
Continuing a successful partnership with the Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN) and announced a third cohort of co-funded trainees
Vertex FORWARD trial of Zimislecel (previously called VX-880) is currently the most advanced stem cell-derived islet replacement trial. Of the 12 individuals that have reached the one-year mark post-transplant, all have resolved severe hypoglycemic events, reduced HbA1c to 7% or less, and 10 of 12 are off insulin
In disease-modifying therapies:
Interim results presented from Sanofi’s PETITE-T1D trial demonstrated acceptable safety of Tzield in kids aged 0-7 with early-stage T1D
To read more about research updates and stories of people living with T1D, please visit www.breakthrought1d.ca/blog.
As we head into 2026, we pause and reflect on how truly grateful we are for the support of our donors, volunteers and the commitment of the T1D community. We’re very excited to approach this new year with renewed vigour, working to build on these breakthroughs and continuing to push our mission forward.
And thanks to your generosity, cures have never been closer.
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.
On December 9th, a publication on consensus recommendations for the use of CKMs – led by Breakthrough T1D International’s Medical Affairs team – was published in TheLancet. These recommendations and further research and development of these monitors will soon give those with T1D another valuable tool to manage the condition.
What are ketones?
Ketones are organic compounds (acids) that the body makes as a by-product of using fat instead of glucose for energy. This process is called ketosis. A small number of ketones in the body is not concerning, but if they start to build up it can be life threatening. In people with T1D, this may happen because of too little insulin, illness like the flu, prolonged fasting, dehydration or the use of some medications (namely SGLT2 inhibitors). In T1D, a build up of ketones can lead to a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
People living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are familiar with ketones and the risk they present to their health, but monitoring for ketones is burdensome and infrequent for many.
Currently, people with diabetes use blood and/or urine strips to test for ketones; however, surveys show that few individuals use them routinely. Given the current options, it remains very difficult to predict when ketone levels may be rising, and people lose opportunities to intervene early to prevent DKA altogether and could therefore benefit from more routine monitoring.
Similar to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), CKMs will continuously measure ketone levels in the body and can alert users if their ketone levels are rising. This ability to track ketone levels in real-time could have substantial benefits in preventing DKA—and more. Continuous ketone monitoring (CKM) is on the horizon, but recommendations for use of these devices is lacking.
Potential benefits of CKM for people with T1D
Early detection of rising ketones to prevent DKA
Identification of elevated ketones due to infusion set failures that would prevent pumps from dosing insulin
Valuable addition to automated insulin delivery (AID) systems for comprehensive monitoring of blood glucose and ketones
Management of early-stage T1D—before insulin therapy is needed—to monitor disease progression
Recommendations for use of CKM
CKMs have the potential to transform T1D care by stopping dangerous, life-threatening DKA before it ever occurs. It is critically important that healthcare professionals (HCPs) and people living with T1D know how to most effectively use this technology to maximize its benefits.
That’s why Breakthrough T1D International, led by their Chief Medical Officer Thomas Danne, convened a panel of experts to agree on recommendations for how this technology could be used to improve outcomes for individuals at risk for developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The recommendations from the expert panel are:
CKMs could include trend arrows, akin to those on a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), and reflect rates of change of around 0.4 mmol/L per hour.
To avoid potential alarm fatigue, CKM devices should have optional individual alarms and be used at the discretion of the user and their health-care professional
It is recommended that an audible or vibrating alarm should be put in place to notify continuous ketone monitoring users if their ketone concentrations rise above the urgent high threshold of ≥3·0 mmol/L.
The terminology for ketone levels should be: Normal, Elevated, High, Urgent High.
All CKM users should be provided with a blood ketone metre to use if they are experiencing the symptoms of high or urgent high ketones, and they do not match the CKM reading.
All individuals who wear a CKM should receive education on what elevated ketones mean and what actions to take.
Why might this matter to you?
There are currently no continuous ketone monitors available on the market, but Breakthrough T1D is actively funding work in Canada and globally to make these a reality. Both academic groups and early-stage companies are working on CKM devices. Further down the pipeline is Abbott’s dual glucose-ketone sensor (CGM-CKM), which is currently in development. Including in Canada with Dr. Mahla Poudineh (University of Waterloo), in collaboration with Dr. Leyla Soleymani (McMaster University) who are also working on developing a wearable CKM.
Breakthrough T1D’s work in this area – funding research and developing recommendations for CKM use is crucial as they will be a reality soon and both healthcare providers, people with T1D and their caregivers will need standards on how to use these devices to be able to take action before DKA occurs.
Breakthrough T1D Canada will keep the community up to date on the progress of CKM development. For clinical trials that may be testing these devices and others, visit clinicaltrials.breakthroughT1D.ca
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 T1D Clinical Trial Finder.
Cell Therapy: Tegoprubart trial Current islet transplantation (from cadaveric donor islets in clinical practice to stem cell derived islets in clinical trials) require immunosuppression to protect the islets from the recipients’ immune system. Dr. Piotr Witkowski (University of Chicago) is investigating the use of tegoprubart as a less toxic alternative to commonly used tacrolimusfor people with T1D receiving cadaveric donor islet transplants.
Tegoprubart (AT-1501) is an anti-CD40L antibody owned by Eledon Pharmaceuticals and has shown promising safety and efficacy data for kidney transplants.
In the ongoing islet replacement trial, preliminary data on the first six subjects show that tegoprubart is able to protect the transplanted cadaveric donor islet cells. All six transplanted subjects demonstrated marked improvements in glycemic control, achieving and maintaining insulin independence after one or two islet transplants.
Tegoprubart was generally well tolerated, with no reported serious adverse events and no signs of the kidney or neurological toxicity often observed with traditional immunosuppression.
This clinical trial is partly funded by Breakthrough T1D International and Eledon Pharmaceuticals is funded by the Breakthrough T1D Fund.
Disease-modifying therapy: PETITE-T1D Disease-modifying therapies address the underlying cause of T1D, meaning that they protect beta cells, stop the autoimmune attack, or both.
Sanofi’s PETITE-T1D trial is testing the efficacy and safety of Tzield in kids aged 0-7 with early-stage T1D. Tzield is currently approved by Health Canada for children and adults aged eight and older with stage 2 T1D, in whom it can delay the onset of stage 3 T1D by a median of 3 years.
Interim results from PETITE-T1D show that the safety profile of Tzield in children under the age of 8 is similar to that of older individuals who receive the drug. This study is ongoing, and we look forward to seeing efficacy data (how well it is reducing the autoimmune attack) in 2026.
Disease-modifying therapy: TrialNet Abatacept Prevention Study New analysis from TrialNet on abatacept’s impact on type 1 diabetes progression suggest that further investigation may be warranted.
Abatacept (brand name Orencia®) is a prescription biologic medication that is used to treat certain autoimmune diseases. It works by blocking the activation of T-cells, a type of immune cell that causes inflammation,
The Abatacept Prevention Study first opened in 2013 and enrolled 212 people between the ages of 6 and 45. All participants had at least one relative with T1D and were identified as being Stage 1 T1D (which means they had two or more diabetes-related autoantibodies but normal glucose tolerance).
The initial study analysis found that while abatacept impacted immune response and preserved insulin production during the one-year treatment period, it did not meet the study goal of delaying progression to abnormal glucose tolerance (stage 2 T1D) or clinical diagnosis of T1D (stage 3 T1D). The group treated with abatacept maintained beta cell function better than the placebo group at 12 months. In addition, known effects of abatacept were detected on immune cells. However, 12 months after treatment ended, beta cell function was the same for both groups and effects on immune cells had reversed. The early effect was not sustained.
In a re-analysis of the data, it was found that the participants who were secreting the most insulin at the start of the trial had the most benefit from Abatacept. This is the first indication that an immune intervention in stage 1 T1D may delay disease progression in a subset of individuals. As studies into disease-modifying therapies sig deeper into why certain people respond better than others, it is becoming clear that a precision medicine approach will be needed to get people the most beneficial therapy possible.
Kidney complications: Finerenone In November 2025 Bayer shared data from the international phase 3 clinical trial (FINE-ONE) which included participating sites across Canada. These results showed that finerenone (Kerendia™/Firialta™) significantly reduces urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, a measure of kidney damage, in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with T1D.
In CKD, the hormone aldolsterone is overactive, leading to kidney damage. Finerenone blocks this hormone’s activity to protect the kidneys from further damage. Finerenone has already been approved for the treatment of CKD in type 2 diabetes.
Finerenone was well-tolerated, with no new safety issues reported and few serious adverse events. Based on these results, Bayer intends to submit the data for regulatory review, with the goal of expanding finerenone’s indication to include treatment of CKD in people living with T1D.
CKD is one of the most common complications of T1D. Nearly a third of people living with T1D will develop CKD, increasing the risk of both kidney failure and cardiovascular disease.
Finerenone is the first therapy in three decades to achieve positive outcomes for CKD in people with T1D.
Breakthrough T1D strategically collaborated with Bayer to support the FINE-ONE clinical trial.
Devices in Pregnancy: CIRCUIT Trial To assess the efficacy of a closed-loop system in pregnancy, a randomized clinical trial in Canada and Australia, enrolled pregnant women with T1D before 14 weeks’ gestation, with follow-up until 6 weeks postpartum.
They analyzed 88 participants who were randomly assigned by 16 weeks’ gestation to closed-loop therapy or standard care. The standard care group continued their pre-randomization insulin delivery method (multiple daily injections or insulin pump), and all participants used continuous glucose monitoring throughout the study.
The mean percentage of time in the pregnancy-specific glucose range was significantly higher in the closed-loop group (65.4% TIR) than in the standard care group (50.3% TIR); the adjusted mean glucose level was also lower in the closed-loop group than in the standard care group.
The findings support the use of closed-loop systems in pregnancy with T1D.
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Breakthrough T1D Canada will continue to monitor the results of these trials and share more updates as they become available.
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 together a holiday gift guide with some creative and fun ideas that can not only work for people living with T1D, but others on your list, whether they are family, friends, or colleagues. Knowing that the most treasured present is the one that comes from the heart.
Everyone loves being cozy
Sweaters, fuzzy blankets, tuques, scarves and mittens – these are simply Canadian essentials, and there is no shortage of styles, patterns and colours you can choose from.
Find some inspiration at a place like Simon’s, a Canadian store that has both household items and clothing, and that delivers across the country.
Or with enough time and energy, you could crochet a scarf or hat. You could even treat yourself to a crochet kit for a beginner, making it a gift to yourself too!
And keeping feet warm and comfortable can be even more important for people with T1D. Compression socks, and anti-fatigue mats can help with fatigue and aching in the calves and feet.
Consider non-skid, seamless and moisture-wicking socks, and pair them with a fun pair of cozy slippers (make sure they’ve got a solid and padded sole and a closed toe and back to prevent slipping). There’s nothing worse than waking up to cold floors on unprotected feet.
A fancy medic-alert bracelet
It’s advised that people with T1D wear a medic alert bracelet. And you may remember the more utilitarian style from your childhood. But did you know they come in a variety of styles, including necklaces and additions for a smartwatch band?
The winter cold makes skin dry, cracked and uncomfortable. This can be especially challenging for people living with T1D. Well-moisturized skin also helps with glucose monitoring. Consider stuffing the stocking of your loved one with T1D with luxurious and rich moisturizers. Look for ones that contain urea.
Gifts to stimulate your brain
It’s easy to want to ‘couch rot’ when the days get short, cold and dark. And there is nothing wrong with a day or two doing very little. But why not also consider gifts that challenge the mind. Trivia games, sudoku, 10,000-piece puzzles, or even just old-fashioned books are gifts that can help keep the mind stimulated during that period between Christmas and New Year’s when it’s hard to remember what day or time it is!
Fun and creative insulin pump and CGM stickers Started by a Canadian diagnosed with T1D when she was 33 years old and someone who loved colourful designs and stylish jewelry, Edda decided to create her own line when she found there were limited options in Canada.
In addition to a range of beautiful insulin covers and CGM stickers, Pimp My Diabetes also offers stylish diabetes bags and jewelry. And they have a full range of clothing and apparel options for both people who have T1D and their loved ones.
(*Please note that Breakthrough T1D receives no funding from any of the suggested links, they are just to help you get started)
Gve the gift of breakthroughs
Maybe you don’t know what to give a colleague, or that one friend who’s really hard to shop for.
Supporting a charity, including Breakthrough T1D Canada will help you to feel good while doing good. And a donation not only helps today but can create a lasting legacy. Your support can help Breakthrough T1D in our mission of making every day life better for the close to 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, while we drive towards cures.
And if you donate today, your gift will be matched 2x up to December 31, 2025, allowing you to double your impact, and receive a final tax receipt before the end of year.
Please also accept our gift to you – an electronic holiday card that you can fill in with your own message and use to help raise awareness of type 1 diabetes in Canada.
Download by clicking on the card
No matter how stressful or busy the holiday season gets, always remember that you can’t go wrong with a gift given with genuine consideration and thought.
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From everyone here at Breakthrough T1D, please accept our sincerest wishes for a happy, restful and restorative holiday season, and all the best for the coming new year.
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 Breakthrough T1D UK, the Steve Morgan Foundation, and Diabetes UK. This important finding provides valuable information into the wide range of T1D progression and highlights the need for universal T1D screening and early-stage immunotherapies in young children at risk of developing T1D.
T1D is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In young children T1D often progresses more rapidly, increasing the likelihood of medical emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis and requiring higher doses of insulin than those diagnosed at an older age.
Until now, scientists had limited tools to study the early development of insulin-producing beta cells. Beta cells are found in ‘clusters’ called islets of Langerhans, or islets, in the pancreas. To date, the majority of cell biology research has focused on the medium-large islets, particularly because small islets are often lost during the isolation process to study individual cells. In young children, approximately under the age of 7, the majority of islets are small and still forming and only contain a few insulin-producing beta cells.
The findings confirm most rapid development of islet cells occur in the first few years of life.
For the first time, the researchers showed that in people with type 1 diabetes, these small clusters (pre-cursors to islets) are almost completely absent, having been destroyed by the immune system. While some people with T1D retained a few large clusters, allowing them to produce small amounts of insulin, this was not the case for those diagnosed at a young age.
Together, the results suggest that the abundant small clusters found in young children are especially vulnerable to the type 1 diabetes immune attack. Their rapid destruction prevents them from maturing, leaving very few insulin-producing cells later in life, while more mature islets in adults are somewhat more resistant to the autoimmune attack and the onset of T1D in adulthood may preserve minor insulin-producing capability.
This research underscores the critical role of these small clusters in healthy pancreas development and opens the door for new treatments to protect children’s clusters of insulin-producing cells, giving them the chance to mature into islets that are less vulnerable to the immune attack. It also strengthens the case that type 1 diabetes screening – particularly in young children is essential for identifying those in the early stages of type 1 diabetes before these crucial cells are lost, (when accompanied by early-stage immunotherapy interventions to prevent the loss of immature islet clusters.)
Breakthrough T1D Canada currently has a $12 million grant co-funded through the Breakthrough T1D-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes that is funding CanScreen T1D – a single nationally coordinated research network that explores key research questions about the feasibility and acceptability of general population T1D screening in Canada.
Results from this research could help to inform immunotherapies for individuals in early-stage T1D to preserve islet mass and insulin-producing capability.
On October 29th, 2025, researchers, partners, and members of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community gathered in person at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to discuss year 4 progress and future plans for the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC (The Centre) The day was rich with powerful presentations about scientific advances, showcasing the power of partnership and the accomplishments that are possible when vision, generosity, and determination come together.
The Centre’s research program is organized into three interconnected themes relevant to T1D cure research: 1) building better beta cells for islet replacement therapy, 2) immune protection of insulin-producing beta cells, and 3) targeting and monitoring beta cell stress. Highlights from year 4 of the Centre’s progress across these three themes include:
Discovery of several factors that increase beta cell survival, and creation of tools that will allow them to be engineered into stem cell-derived islet islets
Creation of engineered regulatory T cells designed to specifically target islets and prevent them from harm
Further development of a nanomedicine that can prevent and reverse T1D in animal models – including refining how the can best be delivered (intramuscularly, like a vaccine) and figuring out that the drug protects from T1D by dialing down the function of certain white blood cells.
Completion of a screen of >3000 existing drugs to identify those that can reduce beta cell harm and that could be re-purposed to treat T1D or protect transplanted islets.
Exciting results of early-stage projects were also shared from three seed grants awarded in 2024 (Dr. Laura Egvin, Dr. Nicole Krentz, Dr. Lauar Monteiro/Dr. Ramon Klein Geltink), and multiple trainees excelled at summarizing their work in a graphical abstract competition. Finally, Dr. Ahsen Chaudry, clinical endocrinologist and a Breakthrough T1D Clinical Investigator Fellow, provided an overview of past, present and future T1D cure clinical trials taking place in Vancouver, where are large number of stem cell-derived islet transplants have been carried out.
“As a parent of a young adult living with type 1 diabetes, the 4th Annual Meeting of the Centre of Excellence left me feeling both hopeful and encouraged,” said Sue Gordon, a supporter from the community. The researchers’ progress and dedication are inspiring! Knowing that advances are being made, and that strong community partners are stepping up to help, gives families like mine so much hope for the future.”
The Centre’s T1D Lived Experience Advisory Council, which ensures that the priorities and concerns of people with T1D are integrated into the Centre’s work and knowledge mobilization activities, inspired the audience in the afternoon session by sharing stories of what day-to-day life is like living with T1D. From professional challenges to pump failures, pregnancy to post-partum, poor sleep and striving for perfection – experiences shared were often real and raw.
“Sometimes it’s hard to get up at 5:30am to go into the lab and feed the latest batch of stem cell-derived islets we’re working with,” said Francis Lynn, Associate Professor, UBC Department of Surgery & Biomedical Engineering and Centre Co-Lead. “But hearing what the burden of T1D is like, day in and day out, reminds me why we do what we do. And we’ll keep at it for as long as we have to.”
Now beginning year 5 of their research program, the team is focused on achieving key milestones, evaluating overall progress to date, and beginning to outline plans for the next phase of the Centre, which will involve advancing the highest potential projects, prioritizing innovation, deepening engagement with clinical activities, and expanding interdisciplinary training and mentorship opportunities.
To close the annual meeting, the Centre team celebrated the announcement of a transformational gift from the Canucks For Kids Fund, prompting re-naming to the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC. This extraordinary support introduces a powerful new partner for the and Centre and will further elevate the Centre’s mission and accelerate the groundbreaking cure-focused research underway at UBC.
On Nov 3-6, 2025, Montreal was host to the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) 51st Annual Conference. ISPAD is a yearly highlight of the T1D conference calendar, and this year was no exception. Scientists, clinicians, researchers, industry members, people with diabetes, and more were on hand to provide updates in cures, improving lives, access, and more—with much of it being supported by Breakthrough T1D.
ISPAD co-Presidents Drs. Melanie Henderson (CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal) and Julia E. von Oettingen (McGill University) welcomed the international diabetes community to Montreal, highlighting the city’s deep commitment to pediatric diabetes care and research.
Early detection of T1D
Several researchers presentedcountry-level results from T1D screening pilots and programs across multiple sessions. Early detection of T1D can provide opportunities for education to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis, time to prepare for insulin therapy, and immunotherapy to delay disease onset. A Canadian expert in this area, Dr. Diane Wherrett (SickKids Hospital. Toronto) was this year’s W!LD ISPAD honoree for her dedication to pediatric endocrinology, T1D prevention research, and leadership of the CanScreen T1D consortium.
Disease-modifying therapies
Disease-modifying therapies address the underlying cause of T1D, meaning that they protect beta cells, stop the autoimmune attack, or both. The University of Alberta’s Dr. Alice Carr provided ag talk about the roadmap for precision medicine in disease-modifying therapies for T1D, emphasizing the need for more precise measures of beta cell function in early-stage disease and highlighting the importance of including perspectives of people with T1D into every stage of the research process.
Interim results were also presented from Sanofi’s PETITE-T1Dtrial testing the efficacy and safety of Tzield in kids aged 0-7 with early-stage T1D. Tzield is currently approved for children and adults aged eight and older with stage 2 T1D, in whom it can delay the onset of stage 3 T1D by an average of 3 years. The new results show that the safety profile of Tzield in children under the age of 8 is similar to that of older individuals who receive the drug. This study is ongoing and we look forward to seeing more data.
SAB BIO presented compelling data about humanized anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), which holds promise to delay the onset and progression of T1D. Recent results showed that animal-derived ATG holds promise for this purpose, and therefore this humanized version of the drug (which is likely to have fewer side effects) is an exciting development.
Technology improves outcomes
A common theme throughout multiple presentations about diabetes devices is that automated insulin delivery (AID) systems help people do better. This spans several different technologies and systems: Tandem Control IQ, Minimed 780G, Cam APS (Ypsomed pump), and OmniPod. Here’s why:
The near-constant adjustments made by these systems are always working to meet glycemic targets. They can help people get closer to their glycemic targets with less user input. They lower the mental burden of T1D, helping people less engaged with managing their T1D do better. These are among the reasons that updated Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for diabetes now recommend AID systems as the standard of care for people of all ages with T1D.
Several presentations and posters highlighted that artificial intelligence is making AID systems smarter, with the potential to remove the need for carb-counting entirely and enabling a fully closed loop.
Adjunct therapies
Another hot topic at the ISPAD conference was the adjunct therapies – medicines that can be taken alongside insulin to improve glucose management and reduce future risk of complications. Among new evidence presented was that from the ATTEMPT trial led by Dr. Farid Mahmud (SickKids Hospital, Toronto), which showed that an SLGT2 inhibitor could be used safely for this purpose without increases in ketones or incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be a concern with use of certain adjunct therapies.
2026 is going to be a big year—with many more T1D conferences where the latest research updates will be shared. This includes, for the first time, a conference held by Breakthrough T1D International: the inaugural Breakthrough T1D Clinical and Research Congress, which will be held in Philadelphia, PA in October 2026.
Winter is on its way, and with it the holiday season and the parties and meals that come along with it. Most of us find we indulge a little more in holiday snacks and treats – and these are often sugar and carb laden. One of the major stresses of managing type 1 diabetes (T1D), particularly for people who are newly diagnosed, can be meal planning and both how it will affect blood glucose levels and how much insulin you or your child might need.
But with a little planning and preparation, you can and should enjoy time with family and friends – including holiday dinners – with confidence.
Thank you to Beyond Type 1 for these traditional holiday meal carb counts to help guide your decisions this holiday season.
One of Canada’s longest running and top fundraising events and the country’s premier team stationary cycling event took place in Montréal, Québec and Toronto, Ontario on October 9 and 16 respectively, along with several Ride Your Way events throughout the remainder of the year. Breakthrough T1D Ride is a high-energy event that sees hundreds of corporate executives and teams leave the office behind as they pedal for a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Participants rode hundreds of stationary bikes set up in core downtown locations. Additional events were held in offices, gyms, and spin studios across the country, all having the same goal – helping Breakthrough T1D fund the most promising research that improves the lives of people living with this disease today, as we drive towards cures for tomorrow, and a world free from T1D.
Since the Ride launched in 1986, corporate Canada has raised over $72 million to accelerate the pace of critical T1D research and leading the way to better outcomes for the T1D community. Due to advances in research over the past five decades, approximately 25 years have been added to the lifespan of a person living with T1D and receiving the latest care. But insulin remains the only treatment; there is no way to prevent developing T1D, and there are no cures.
Nearly 1300 teams and over 6500 fundraisers from over 85 Canadian companies coast to coast participated throughout October. Riders have secured over 16000 donations and raised nearly $1.9 million and counting. We are so appreciative for everyone’s efforts and their support of Canadians living with T1D.
A huge thank you to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, our Ride Cabinets, Breakthrough T1D ambassadors who shared their stories of what it’s like to live with T1D, and the people who came out to ride. Their support is helping us get closer to our goal for cures for type 1 diabetes.
Thank you also to our emcees Benoit, Heather and Tania (who kept the energy going throughout two chilly days in both cities), and to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for joining and even doing a full Ride on one of our stationary bikes!
Thank you again to everyone who participated and to our generous corporate partners. We hope to see all of you out again next year!
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