Archives: News

Renowned type 1 diabetes researchers across Canada sign open letter to the federal government emphasizing the importance of research funding

SUBJECT: Support for JDRF’s 2024 Budget Ask for type 1 diabetes research

Dear Minister Freeland and Minister Holland,

As Canadian researchers working in the field of islet replacement therapy for diabetes, we write this letter in support of renewed funding for the JDRF-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes through Federal Budget 2024.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition resulting in absolute insulin deficiency, for which there is no available cure. A highly promising approach to cure the condition is to replace the insulin-producing islet cells that are damaged or destroyed through transplanting an “islet replacement product”.  Canada has been a world leader in the field of islet replacement therapy for T1D over 20 years and remains at the cutting edge today, in terms of both clinical practice and research productivity. Many global breakthroughs and much of the momentum – largely led by Canadian researchers and clinical trials taking place in Canada – have been enabled through funding of research grants by JDRF and CIHR. Past and ongoing projects supported by these funders include research that aims to:

• optimize islet replacement products to treat T1D from a renewable source of stem cells;
• test the safety and efficacy of manufactured islet products in animal models of T1D in preparation for clinical trials;
• scale-up manufacturing of a high-quality islet replacement product to treat unlimited numbers of patients with T1D;
• advance innovative approaches to reduce or eliminate immunosuppression required with transplant of an islet replacement therapy; and
• leverage gene-editing technology to produce next-generation islet replacement products.

Sustained investment in Canadian research on islet replacement therapy is imperative to capitalize on investments to date for the benefit of the 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, whose lives could be transformed with the delivery of a cell-based cure for their condition. With sufficient funding, Canada will lead the global effort required to translate current research momentum into new treatments and cures for T1D.

An investment of $50 million from the federal government (with a $25 million match from JDRF Canada) will accelerate science at a monumental speed. Without an injection of funding, the immense progress that has been made in Canada towards cell therapy cures for T1D will largely dwindle. The momentum that we have gained through the strong JDRF-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes has brought us to the brink of breakthroughs – it is time to push forward this exceptional science and solidify Canada’s position as a powerhouse in the race to cure T1D.

Sincerely,

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

Matt Varey of Ontario is the first Canadian to serve as Vice Chair on the board of the global type 1 diabetes non-profit

New York and Toronto, March 13, 2024 — JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D), research and advocacy organization, today announced the appointment of Matt Varey as the new vice chair of the non-profit’s International Board of Directors. Matt, of Oakville, Ontario, is the first Canadian and first person from outside of the United States to hold the vice chair position. He is a senior executive at Royal Bank of Canada, the country’s largest financial institution, where he is responsible for more than 4,500 Canada-based employees who manage personal investments, mortgage financing, and group benefits totaling more than $100 billion annually.

“It’s an exciting time at JDRF, filled with scientific breakthroughs and real opportunities to advance our mission, creating a world without type 1 diabetes,” said Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of JDRF. “We are delighted that Matt is taking on the role of vice chair of JDRF’s International Board of Directors. I look forward to Matt’s partnership as we amplify JDRF’s work throughout the world.”

Matt has been a committed JDRF volunteer since 2001 and is an ardent supporter of JDRF’s efforts to find a cure for T1D and improving the lives of people living with the condition. In addition to his work on JDRF’s International Board of Directors, Matt serves on the board of JDRF Canada.

“I have been a JDRF volunteer for more than 20 years and am honored to step into the role of vice chair of JDRF’s International Board of Directors,” said Matt Varey. “I am excited to work in partnership with others around the globe to advance JDRF’s incredible purpose, and to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs and cures for type 1 diabetes.”

Matt and his wife Dr. Andrea Jack are the parents to four adult children. He is a graduate of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Varey will be joined in his term of board leadership by Lisa Fishbone Wallack, the newly appointed chair of JDRF’s International Board of Directors. Lisa is an attorney by training and resides in the Boston area.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)    

T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin, or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short or long-term complications, including highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death if left untreated. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D

February 29, 2024 – Ottawa – Today marks a historic moment for the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community in Canada. JDRF Canada is thrilled to have been part of the Government of Canada’s announcement of a new national pharmacare program. The organization commends the federal government for ensuring the close to 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, an autoimmune condition that requires constant monitoring of blood glucose levels and multiple daily insulin injections to survive, will have improved and affordable access to the treatments and devices they need to improve self-management, health outcomes and quality of life.

“A national pharmacare program that includes insulin and diabetes devices shows a deep commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all Canadians, regardless of their medical condition or socioeconomic status, as well as relieving an immense burden from our healthcare system. We welcome the Government’s announcement of a program that will provide all Canadians with the access they need,” says Jessica Diniz, President & CEO, JDRF Canada.

Insulin was discovered in Canada by Drs. Banting, Collip and Best who then sold the patent to the University of Toronto for $1. Banting famously said, “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.” Banting believed that everyone who needed insulin should have access to it. Making all insulins among the first treatments covered by pharmacare honours this historic legacy.

Access to insulin and test strips leads to better diabetes self-management and could restore two years of healthy life to a person living with T1D. And if everyone in Canada has access to diabetes devices like insulin pumps and advanced glucose monitors, a further six healthy years could be restored to the average person with T1D. Access to diabetes technology also helps to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications. Additionally, better self-management reduces hospital visits and the associated long-term costs of hospitalization. Without these devices, the average person living with T1D spends an extra 18 days a year managing their condition.

This commitment from the national pharmacare program will help improve the lives of those living with T1D. The goal, however, remains cures for T1D, and Canada is on the forefront of the most promising T1D research that will get us there with sustained research investments. JDRF Canada has put forth a budget proposal to the federal government for $50M in budget 2024 towards T1D research funding that JDRF will bolster with an additional $25M, for a total research investment of $75M. This funding will accelerate progress to a world where those living with T1D are no longer dependent on insulin, making a natural complement to a national pharmacare program. Canada gave the world insulin, and JDRF Canada strongly believes that with support from the federal government, Canada can give the world a cure.

For more details on the new national pharmacare program, please visit:

News release link: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/02/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-for-first-phase-of-national-universal-pharmacar.html

Backgrounder link: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/02/universal-access-to-diabetes-medications-and-diabetes-device-fund-for-devices-and-supplies.html

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

February 28, 2024 – Halifax – The Government of Nova Scotia announced a historic investment to provide better access to diabetes devices such as insulin pumps and glucose monitors for Nova Scotians with diabetes. The province will be investing $5.9 million to fund sensor-based glucose monitoring supplies, and $1.3 million to expand the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program by removing the current age cap.

Glucose monitoring supplies will be obtained through a new income-based program and through existing pharmacare programs. While Nova Scotians living with either type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes can access this new program, eligibility requirements will include the need for multiple daily injections of insulin or insulin pumps to manage their diabetes.

Nova Scotians with an annual household income of less than $60,000 will pay no deductible, while household incomes between $60,000 and $150,000 will pay a deductible between $500 and $1,000.

In Nova Scotia, it is estimated that 9,000 people live with T1D. For these Nova Scotians, daily management of this disease consists of constant monitoring of their blood glucose levels and external insulin delivered either through injections or insulin pump multiple times a day. Even with careful management, people with T1D are still at risk of significant diabetes-related complications including kidney disease, blindness, amputation and even death.

With this investment, an estimated 4,000 people will be covered for sensor-based glucose monitoring supply costs and about 450 more Nova Scotians will be able to access the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program.

Through its #AccessForAll advocacy campaign, JDRF Canada works to help alleviate the financial, physical, and mental health burdens associated with T1D by makingT1D technology affordable and universally accessible for all Canadians living with the autoimmune condition.

“JDRF Canada is pleased to join the Government of Nova Scotia today in announcing improved care for the province’s T1D community. We appreciate that the provincial government recognizes the unique needs of Nova Scotians living with this condition and has stepped up to increase access to life-saving technology, thereby allowing for improved health outcomes and a better quality of life,” says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. 

Studies have shown that self-management of T1D is improved by using diabetes technology. Insulin pumps grant individuals greater control to administer insulin as needed, and advanced glucose monitors provide real-time blood glucose readings allowing for more time spent in target range. When pumps and advanced glucose monitors are used in tandem, those living with the condition can benefit from its integrated technology in a hybrid-closed loop (HCL) system that allows for the automatic delivery of insulin based on real-time glucose trends.

Use of these devices has been proven to reduce hospitalizations and the risk of longer-term complications for users. They also help to ease some of the anxiety associated with living with T1D by allowing individuals to better plan activities around the condition including exercise, meals, and rest.  

Since 2019, JDRF’s Access for All campaign has engaged passionate advocates from T1D communities across the country to make their voices heard at all levels of government. With support from JDRF, they have driven change in several provinces and territories to improve access to life-changing diabetes technologies.

“I am overjoyed and relieved to see that the province of Nova Scotia will now be covering the cost of CGMs and removing the age cap from insulin pump coverage. This is life changing for me and for all Nova Scotians living with T1D,” Emma Perry, local T1D advocate.

Learn more about the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program: https://novascotia.ca/DHW/NSIPP/

Read the government release: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/02/28/more-funding-reduce-costs-improve-diabetes-care

About JDRF Canada 

JDRF Canada is the leading charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in Canada. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Since our founding in 1974, JDRF has invested more than $80 million CDN in research funding. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our shared vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.ca.   

For more information: 

Ruth Kapelus 
National Content and Media Relations Manager 
T. 647.789.2322 
E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca  
235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 600, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8
breakthrought1d.ca 

February 27, 2024 – Canada-wide – JDRF Canada, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of the estimated 300,000 Canadians living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) through its advocacy efforts, is awaiting the imminent announcement of a new national pharmacare program that will include coverage of diabetes medications. Insulin was discovered in Canada by Banting, Collip and Best who then sold the patent to the University of Toronto for $1. Banting famously said, “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.” He wanted everyone who needed it to have access to it. Making all insulins among the first treatments covered by pharmacare honours this historic legacy.

Another critical component that we look forward to seeing supported in the national pharmacare program is diabetes devices, such as advanced glucose monitors and insulin pumps.

Insulin pump therapy is a crucial tool for the management of diabetes in many people with the condition, particularly those with T1D. Compared with insulin therapy delivered with syringes or pens, insulin pump use is generally associated with improved glucose control, reduced hypoglycemia and other complications, and improved quality of life in people with T1D.

Furthermore, compared with conventional methods for blood glucose monitoring by finger-prick testing, advanced glucose monitors including Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and Flash Glucose Monitors (Flash GMs) have revolutionized diabetes management. These devices provide real-time glucose readings and trends, allowing individuals to make pro-active decisions about their diabetes management. They also provide clinicians with enhanced data to guide treatment decisions for their patients with diabetes. In people with T1D, these monitors not only improve the quality of life for people with diabetes but also glucose control, thereby reducing the risk of associated long-term complications.

A national pharmacare program that includes insulin and diabetes devices would show a deep commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all Canadians, regardless of their medical condition or socioeconomic status, as well as relieving an immense burden from our healthcare system.

For more information:
Ruth Kapelus
National Content and Media Relations Manager
T. 647-789-2322
rkapelus@jdrf.ca

OPINION:  Canada is on track to cure type 1 diabetes. With the right support, we can get there.

Research innovation is becoming increasingly competitive in the post-pandemic world and Canada is at risk of losing its foothold.

An estimated 300,000 Canadians (growing at a rate of 4.4% per year) live with type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin for the body, causing blood glucose to rise. Until cures are found, people with T1D must monitor their blood glucose throughout the day and take multiple daily insulin injections to survive. But insulin is only a treatment, and Canadians with T1D have a high risk of life-threatening complications, lower quality of life, and life expectancy that is 10 years less than the general population.

When it comes to diabetes research, Canada has historically punched well above its weight on the world stage. Since the discovery of insulin in Toronto in 1921, Canada has continued to make significant breakthroughs towards curing T1D; from the discovery of stem cells in 1961, to the development of the Edmonton Protocol – a method of transplanting pancreatic cells – in 1999.

In 2022, the federal government published the Framework for Diabetes in Canada; highlighting a need to better recognize, collaborate with, and support those impacted by diabetes. The Framework provides a common policy direction to help align national efforts to address diabetes. Like previous reports however, it recognizes that Canada continues to lack the necessary funding for diabetes research and for translating discoveries into practice. The federal government has an opportunity to make meaningful investments into research and demonstrate its leadership and commitment for better treatment and support for people living with diabetes.

Canada has the talent and capacity to continue its legacy of success and can be the place where the next major breakthroughs in T1D cures are discovered, driven to commercialization, and improve lives. But to maintain our leading research position and to reduce the immense pressure on our health care system caused by T1D and its complications, there needs to be sustained investment in research and innovation throughout the entire pipeline. That is why JDRF is recommending the federal government invest $50 million over 5 years in the JDRF-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes to fund new and existing translational T1D research – from discovery to clinical trials – to improve health outcomes, drive commercialization, create good jobs, and bolster Canada’s life sciences sector.

Funding translational research means bringing innovations to market. Investments in this space not only create jobs for research staff, highly qualified personnel, and students, but also allows for the potential of discoveries to spin-off into businesses. Without the right incentives, Canadian projects, and the research talent behind them, may choose to relocate to other countries with better opportunities. This leaves Canada in a position of starting research projects with heavy initial investment, but then losing out on the economic benefits that would flow from its discoveries, as well as the benefits of new treatments that Canadians need. By effectively moving research projects through the full pipeline into commercialization, Canada can demonstrate that it values innovation and that we can be a destination for attracting new talent and investments in this space.

Along with improving the lives of Canadians with T1D, bringing innovative solutions to market will also realize long-term benefits for governments looking to reduce health care costs (which in Canada are $27 billion due to diabetes). Innovations in T1D research reduce hospitalizations due to related complications (including diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, kidney and cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders), as well as improve quality of life and health outcomes, thereby reducing absenteeism and presenteeism related to T1D in working-age Canadians.

As research around the world brings us closer to cures for T1D, we cannot afford to abandon the progress we have made in Canada. It is crucial for our government to provide consistent and stable funding for Canadian researchers to launch the next moonshots that will transform T1D therapy – and lead to cures. Canada discovered insulin. Canada discovered stem cells and pioneered the Edmonton Protocol. Canada can lead the world in the discovery of a cure.

– Dr. Sarah Linklater, JDRF Canada Chief Scientific Officer

Toronto, Ontario, February 20, 2024 – JDRF Canada and Sanofi Canada are announcing a partnership aimed at amplifying awareness around type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune condition, and the role screening could play in the early detection of this disease.

Nationally, the number of individuals diagnosed with T1D is growing at an estimated 4.4% per year.  This places Canada among the countries in the world with the highest rate of new T1D cases each year.  While many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for over 50% of all T1D cases. Traditionally, a diagnosis of T1D follows the onset of clinical symptoms, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss, however, the underlying autoimmune damage on pancreatic beta cells begins long before these signs become apparent.

The evolution of T1D unfolds through three discernible stages, with the initial ‘silent’ phase characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and no overt symptoms. Creating awareness of the stages leading to the onset of clinical disease could mitigate the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that often accompanies the diagnosis of T1D.  Early detection could help keep people out of the hospital and reduce significant financial burdens on the healthcare system.

Jessica Diniz, President and CEO, JDRF Canada

Through this partnership, JDRF Canada and Sanofi Canada will work to increase awareness of T1D and the potential of screening to benefit individuals and families at risk of the disease in the future. T1D screening is a key pillar of JDRF’s strategy internationally, as it has the power to detect who is at risk and, in turn, will enable the delivery of education and support to improve outcomes. This new partnership will focus on disseminating resources and support for Canadians at risk of developing T1D and their healthcare providers, to foster a culture of active health management.

Ahmed Moussa, General Manager, General Medicines, Sanofi Canada

At the core of our partnership with JDRF lies a shared commitment to shed light on the journey towards the onset of T1D.  By illuminating the stages preceding clinical symptoms, we aim to equip individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their health. Early detection can empower individuals to face an eventual diagnosis with the information and support to preemptively manage their condition.

About JDRF 

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy.  JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D.  Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D.  For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

About Sanofi

Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions. 

In Canada, Sanofi employs over 2,000 people and invests annually of 20% of its revenue in biopharma research, representing CAD $1.2 billion in R&D over the last decade, creating jobs, business, and opportunities throughout the country. From our state-of-the-art Campus in Toronto, we research, develop, manufacture, commercialize and distribute Sanofi products to people in this country and around the world. 

In 2024, we are celebrating 110 years of heritage. What started as a small laboratory in May of 1914, has evolved to become the largest biomanufacturing facility in Canada. Today, we remain committed to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicine and vaccine solutions for people that need them.  

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada

T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

Lori Bogdanis
Communications Lead, Sanofi Canada 

T.| 514-233-8549 | lori.bogdanis@sanofi.com

JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, joins healthcare and humanitarian non-profits throughout the world in calling for a medical corridor to allow immediate access to lifesaving supplies and medicines, like insulin, needed by all people living with T1D in the Middle East conflict zone. At all times, including times of conflict, people with T1D need insulin to live, regardless of race, religion, or national origin. JDRF urges those with influence in the region to aid in preserving life by joining our organization in supporting this effort.

JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, has awarded $12 million to researchers Dr. Alessandro Doria with Joslin Diabetes Center, Dr. Michael Mauer with the University of Minnesota Medical School, and Dr. David Cherney at the University Health Network, University of Toronto, to conduct a pivotal clinical trial that will test sotagliflozin, a dual sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT)1 and SGLT2 inhibitor, in the treatment of kidney complications in people with T1D. The study will build on the SUGARNSALT research project first led by Dr. Cherney, which is supported by a $1 million commitment from The Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC) matched by a $1 million investment by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the Team Grant: Diabetes Mechanisms and Translational Solutions competition, launched in 2022.

Kidney disease remains a life-threatening complication for those living with diabetes. Almost half of kidney failure cases are caused by diabetes, and an estimated one out of three people with T1D develop significant kidney disease. In recent years, SGLT inhibitors have proven to be very effective in improving kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes, but there remains a lack of research on their effectiveness for those with T1D and established diabetic kidney disease. With few approved therapies for people with T1D who have developed kidney disease and the substantial risk of kidney disease progression despite current treatments available for such patients, this study is an important step toward fulfilling an unmet clinical need and allowing these individuals to live longer and healthier lives.

The trial will be conducted at sites across the U.S. and Canada, and enrollment is expected to begin in May 2024.

To learn more about this award please visit (only in English): JDRF Awards $12 Million for Phase 3 Type 1 Diabetes Kidney Disease Clinical Trial, Joins The Kidney Foundation of Canada in Driving Research to Treat Kidney Disease – JDRF

JDRF Canada is thrilled to continue a successful partnership with the Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN) and announce a second cohort of co-funded trainees beginning in 2024.

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, Université de Montréal, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, and the University of Toronto and now includes 12 institutions from across Canada.  JDRF Canada has partnered with CIRTN to leverage funding to this network from the National Science and Engineering Research Council – Collaborative Research and Training Experience (NSERC-CREATE) program. See 2023 cohort trainees here.

Nerea Cuesta-Gomez, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Supervisor: Greg Korbutt, University of Alberta

Improved b-cell engraftment and survival through graft localized therapeutic delivery systems.

Islet transplantation can reverse diabetes, however, approximately 60% of the cells die shortly after transplant. Limited donor supply in combination with the requirement of immunosuppression results in this approach being available to only about 10% of individuals living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Therefore, approaches that increase islet survival and reduce the requirements of immunosuppression will make islet transplantation available to a broader T1D population. This research will use two therapeutic delivery systems, composed of biomaterials (polylactic-co-glycolic acid; PLGA), to enhance islet graft survival and function when transplanted into the subcutaneous site (under the skin). First, a bio-active scaffold will provide structural support to the transplanted islets and create a subcutaneous environment that facilitates their optimal functioning. Additionally, the delivery systems will release therapeutic substances in a controlled manner, targeting key factors that influence the success of islet transplantation. In this manner, we seek to enhance the survival and function of islets and improve overall transplantation outcomes.

Alejandro Schcolnik-Cabrera, MD/PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Supervisor: Sue Tsai, University of Alberta

Early life determinants of T1D progression – viewed from the lens of the gut-pancreas axis

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition where T cells attack the pancreatic insulin-producing cells. This disease is associated with metabolic alterations related to gut microbiota, which is modulated by early exposure to maternal factors such as breast milk. Interestingly, breast milk is an important source of immunoglobulin A, which maintains microbiota homeostasis. In this project, we will identify the roles of IgA and other metabolites found in breast milk in the gut immune and metabolic pathways, trying to dissect how they regulate microbiota and T1D. We expect to predict key pathways related to slow vs fast progressing T1D individuals, with the use of endoscopy colon biopsies, RNA sequencing and machine learning algorithms. 

Youngmin Song

PhD Student

Supervisor: Cristina Nostro, University of Toronto

Enhancing stem cell-derived islet replacement therapies for treating type 1 diabetes by the co-transplantation of islet cells and macrophages

Islet-like cells can be generated in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells and can be a potential alternative for cadaver pancreases in transplantation therapies for T1D patients. Clinical trials using stem cell-derived pancreatic cells have been initiated and provide proof of principle that this approach is viable. However, improving tissue engraftment and preventing rejection to ensure long-term graft functionality remain issues for both deceased donor- and stem cell-derived islets. This project will explore ways that stem cell-derived macrophages, a type of innate immune cell with many diverse functions, can be used to improve stem cell-derived islet cell transplantation. 

Jia Zhao

Postdoctoral Fellow

Supervisor: Tim Kieffer, University of British Columbia

Modelling human pancreas diseases with a novel stem cell derived islet spheroid system

With breakthroughs in uncovering the process by which islet cells develop naturally in the body, it is now possible to reproduce many steps of this process in the laboratory with cultured stem cells, culminating in insulin producing islets. This research will further enhance current islet cell manufacturing approaches by incorporating a defined morphogenesis that occurs during normal islet development. In this manner, we can establish an experimental and biomimetic human islet model from stem cells in a dish. This new model system will then be used as a platform to facilitate studies to explain pancreas disease mechanisms and test new therapies to promote islet (re)generation.