With the holiday season in full swing, we have many reasons to be thankful. While we look back on 2024, we can reflect upon the incredible progress we’ve made in advancing breakthroughs toward cures and improving everyday life with T1D.
This wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you and your continued support of our mission as we drive toward cures for T1D.
Here are the top 11 advances that together, we made happen in 2024:
Breakthrough T1D announced the launch of Project ACT, an initiative aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in T1D cell replacement therapies that do not require broad immunosuppression. Recent advances, such as Vertex’s stem cell-derived islets, have been made possible by Breakthrough T1D’s Cell Therapies program as part of our drive toward cures. The goal of Project ACT is to push research, development, regulatory policies, access, and adoption to increase the rate at which cell therapies without the need for broad immunosuppressants will become available to people with T1D.
Why this matters: Immunosuppressive drugs are a barrier to access to cell replacement therapies because of their toxic side effects, which is why islet transplants are currently only available to people with severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemic) unawareness and episodes. By striving toward a future where we realize the benefits of cell replacement therapies without the downsides of the current regimen of immunosuppressants, we will make islet replacement therapies broadly accessible to the T1D community.
Vertex’s clinical trial of VX-880, a first-generation stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for people with severe hypoglycemia (requiring the use of immunosuppressants), has transitioned into a phase 1/2/3, or pivotal, trial. This news comes after Vertex shared incredibly promising data in the earlier phases of the trial, including 11 of 12 participants reducing or eliminating the need for external insulin.
The upcoming trial will expand to 50 people who will get a single, target dose of VX-880. The primary endpoint will be insulin therapy independence without severe hypoglycemic events after one year. This is the final clinical testing stage before Vertex can seek FDA approval.
Breakthrough T1D has a decades-long relationship with Vertex and the leading scientists behind stem cell-derived islet therapies, an advancement that would not have been possible without Breakthrough T1D funding and support. The T1D Fund had invested in Semma Therapeutics, which was acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2019, eventually leading to the active clinical development of VX-880 in T1D.
Why this matters: This is the first time a scalable cure for T1D is entering phase 3 clinical trials—a significant win and a huge step toward accelerating the delivery of cell therapies to members of the T1D community!
Tegoprubart: Transplant Survival Without Standard Immunosuppressive Drugs
Tegoprubart, an anti-CD40L immunotherapy that limits the immune response, is being tested in a Breakthrough T1D-funded study in people with T1D and severe hypoglycemia who have received deceased donor islets. Eledon Pharmaceuticals announced promising initial results in which two of three people achieved insulin therapy independence. According to the study, tegoprubart is safer for both people and transplanted cells in comparison to broad immunosuppressants, with milder side effects and greater islet survival. To further support this effort, the T1D Fund: A Breakthrough T1D Venture invested in Eledon.
Cell Pouch: A Home for Transplanted Islets
Breakthrough T1D has been supporting the development of Cell Pouch, an implantable device from Sernova that provides a safe, immune-protected environment for transplanted islet cells. In phase 1/2 clinical trials, all six people who received donor islets within the Cell Pouch achieved sustained insulin therapy independence with immunosuppressants, including long-term islet survival and function over five years without harmful side effects.
Why this matters: Standard of care immunosuppressive drugs that help avoid transplant rejection come with unwelcome side effects, such as increased risk of infection and malignancy and toxicity to kidneys, nerves, and islet cells themselves. Breakthrough T1D is focused on finding alternative ways to keep transplanted islet cells alive and healthy so that cell replacement therapies can become more tolerable and accessible.
In a major effort spearheaded by Breakthrough T1D, the first internationally recognized clinical guidelines for those who test positive for T1D autoantibodies have been published. These include guidance on monitoring frequency, education, and psychosocial support in addition to recommended actions for healthcare professionals (HCPs) when the risk of T1D progression is high. The guidelines were cooperatively developed with over 60 international experts spanning ten countries.
Why this matters: Previously, there had been no consensus on monitoring guidelines for people who test positive for T1D autoantibodies. Standardization of clinical recommendations means that individuals, families, and HCPs have tangible next steps to monitor early T1D progression and catch life-threatening complications sooner.
- Breakthrough T1D is leading a campaign to secure a recommendation for T1D screening from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), the main authority for preventative care. Approval would require T1D screening to be covered by insurance—an important step forward in expanding access.
- Driven by Breakthrough T1D’s advocacy efforts, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established a unique ICD-10 code for stage 2 T1D. ICD-10 codes are used by HCPs to classify and document diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures. These codes provide a unified way for doctors and providers to indicate what diseases or conditions a person has in their electronic health record (EHR), empowering HCPs to document accurate diagnoses and provide the best possible care.
Why this matters: T1D early detection is critically important to prevent life-threatening complications at diagnosis and to give people necessary resources to make informed decisions about their health. Integrating T1D screening into the U.S. healthcare system will increase access to care.
The past year has seen some important advances in glucose management therapies and devices:
- Cadisegliatin, an activator of a blood sugar regulator in the liver, is being investigated in a phase 3 clinical trial (TTP399) as an adjunct therapy to insulin for people with T1D, although it is currently placed on clinical hold. vTv Therapeutics, the trial sponsor, is also a T1D portfolio company.
- The Omnipod 5 app is now available for the iPhone, making it easier to control the Omnipod without the need to carry a controller. It can also integrate with the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
- Eversense 365 is the first FDA-approved year-round sensor that can easily integrate with automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. Other sensors require replacement after 10-14 days.
Why this matters: While advancements in glucose management have been pivotal in improving health outcomes for people with T1D, access remains a challenge. AID systems are globally underutilized, and not everyone has the necessary technology to connect devices. Breakthrough T1D is working to not only support advances in glucose management but also increase access.
Related content: While Breakthrough T1D consistently strives to improve the lives of those living with T1D, as an organization we have made incredible progress in the development of AID systems, also called the artificial pancreas systems. Read a historical perspective written by Breakthrough T1D volunteer Doug Lowenstein that covers conception to FDA approval of the first artificial pancreas systems, which changed the lives of people with T1D.
An inquiry spearheaded by the Breakthrough T1D affiliates in the U.K. uncovered risks of developing T1D eating disorders (T1DE), including bulimia, anorexia, or insulin restriction to lose weight. There is a significant gap in education and clinical guidelines for HCPs, a lack of internationally recognized criteria for T1DE diagnosis, and insufficient care integration, leading to preventable complications and healthy years of life lost. Breakthrough T1D recognizes the importance of spreading awareness and support for T1DE, and much work is needed to improve the lives of those living with T1DE.
Why this matters: There is an urgent need to change the way T1DE is approached, including integrated physical care with mental health services to get people with T1DE the access to care that they need.
In a study that included people with T1D, finerenone (Kerendia®) has been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes in adults with heart failure. The drug is already approved in the U.S. to treat kidney and cardiovascular disease in people with T2D. Based on these results, Breakthrough T1D is supporting a clinical trial (FINE-ONE) in conjunction with Bayer to investigate the use of finerenone for T1D with the hopes of reducing kidney complications.
Why this matters: Kidney and cardiovascular disease remain significant challenges for those with T1D, especially given the FDA’s recent rejection of an SGLT inhibitor to lower blood glucose in people with T1D and chronic kidney disease. Yet, a new clinical trial (SUGARNSALT) will better assess the benefits versus risks.
Breakthrough T1D is advocating for the regulatory approval of C-peptide, a biomarker for insulin production by beta cells, to be used as an endpoint in clinical trials. An endpoint can accurately predict a meaningful benefit in clinical trials for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs; treatments that can slow, halt, or reverse T1D). To support this endeavor, Breakthrough T1D scientists and an expert consensus panel published research with evidence supporting C-peptide as an endpoint. Breakthrough T1D is continuing to engage with regulators, coordinate with industry, and assess more clinical trial data to drive this effort forward.
Why this matters: Current clinical trial endpoints (HbA1c, hypoglycemia, and complications) are not the best way to gauge the clinical benefits of T1D therapies. If C-peptide gets regulatory approval to be used as an endpoint, clinical trials could be smaller and shorter while still accurately assessing the advantages of a DMT. This means that drug development can move more quickly, and people with T1D will be able to access therapies sooner.
Related content: Two years ago, the T1D community received the incredible news that Tzield® had become the first FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy that can significantly delay T1D onset. Breakthrough T1D volunteer Doug Lowenstein recounts the life-changing drug’s journey nearly 100 years after the discovery of insulin.
The T1D Index is a data simulation tool that measures the global health impact of T1D, bridging gaps in our knowledge of public health statistics. T1D Index 2.0 has new and improved functionality, including advanced simulation capabilities, validation of data, and enhanced user experience. Breakthrough T1D contributed to both the development and improvement of the T1D Index.
Why this matters: The T1D index is critical in defining the intercontinental scope of T1D, driving us toward country-specific solutions and improved global health outcomes.
Earlier this year, JDRF rebranded to Breakthrough T1D. While our mission remains the same, our name needs to better reflect who we are and where we’re going. Our new brand aligns with our mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs for those of every age living with T1D as we work toward a world without it.
Why this matters: The proof is in the name—each day we strive to increase and accelerate breakthroughs in T1D, and it’s critical for our brand to accurately reflect our mission.
It’s certainly been an exciting year! While we still have more work to do, it’s crucial to celebrate our wins, both big and small, to see how far we’ve come in our push to make T1D a thing of the past.
Together, we’re accelerating breakthroughs for people with T1D, and the support of the T1D community drives our mission forward every single day, leading the way to lifechanging therapies and cures. Let’s see what 2025 has in store!
