Breakthrough T1D wrapped up our 2023 TypeOneNation Virtual Summit series with T1D Across the Globe. The event, hosted by sports broadcast TV journalist Jordan Ligons Robinson, featured leading voices from the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community talking about the exciting progress happening all over the world.
The New World of Type 1 Diabetes
Dr. Jeremy Pettus is an endocrinologist and associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and Director of Type 1 Diabetes Track at Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD).
Dr. Pettus acknowledged that while the “struggle is real” with T1D, there have also been a lot of very positive advancements in recent years that make life with T1D easier and healthier:
- T1D technology is booming. This means better diabetes control and less mental burden.
- There are newer insulins and new forms of glucagon that are more effective and easier to use.
- Other medications are now being explored to help improve blood glucose control.
- We have our first-ever approved drug, Tzield, to delay the onset of T1D.
Dr. Pettus is extremely optimistic about the future. “People with T1D are now living longer than people without diabetes because we’re so in tune with our health,” he said. “It really is an amazing day to have type 1 diabetes.”
Updates from Our CEO
Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., discussed the importance of research and advocacy in developing advanced therapies and cures for T1D.
Cell therapies and disease-modifying therapies are two of the most promising approaches to curing type 1 diabetes. Breakthrough T1D has been supporting both for decades and there have been exciting advances recently:
- Lantidra is the first-ever FDA-approved cell therapy for adults with T1D who experience severe hypoglycemia.
- In Vertex’s VX-880 clinical trial, two people have been able to completely stop taking insulin, and all participants are making their own insulin again.
- In Sernova’s clinical trial, five people achieved insulin independence.
- Tzield is the first-ever FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for T1D, delaying the onset of T1D for nearly three years in at-risk individuals.
- The CLVer study showed that Verapamil, a generic blood pressure medication, can preserve beta cell health in newly diagnosed individuals.
But if you don’t have access to these therapies and treatments, you don’t benefit from the research. That’s where Breakthrough T1D Advocacy comes into play. We’ve made some important wins recently:
- Medicare enrollees now have a monthly $35 out-of-pocket insulin price, and we’re fighting to extend that to other populations.
- We helped launch the Civica insulin project, which will manufacture biosimilar insulin that will cost $30 a vial.
- Our advocacy efforts have fundamentally changed the market in the U.S.: Lily, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi all reduced the costs of their insulins.
But gaps to access remain. Breakthrough T1D is working to ensure that all advances are available to all people with T1D, no matter who they are or where they live.
“Continue to use your powerful voices to drive change, to drive funding, to drive insulin affordability, to drive access, and to help us make cures a reality for the entire type 1 diabetes community,” Dr. Kowalski said.
Research Updates from Breakthrough T1D’s International Affiliates
Breakthrough T1D’s vision of a world without T1D requires global collaboration. We have five international affiliates amplifying our global efforts: Australia, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Breakthrough T1D Australia
Mike Wilson, CEO of Breakthrough T1D Australia, shared an exciting Breakthrough T1D-funded research program called ENDIA: Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity which explores the interaction between the environment and genetics that lead to the triggering of T1D. ENDIA is helping to shed light on the environmental factors that cause T1D by monitoring babies with an immediate relative with T1D from pregnancy through to childhood, as well as their parents.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Australia’s update now!
Breakthrough T1D Canada
Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D Canada, detailed Breakthrough T1D-funded research led by Dr. James Shapiro, who is best known for leading the team that developed the Edmonton Protocol in 1999. Dr. Shapiro and his team are looking for ways to reduce the level of immunosuppression needed after transplantation of donor islet cells, including using an infusion of regulatory T-cells to prevent graft rejection and autoimmune response.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Canada’s update now!
Breakthrough T1D Netherlands
Diederik Veldkamp, CEO of Breakthrough T1D Netherlands, explained several Breakthrough T1D-funded projects at Amsterdam University Medical Centers that focus on mental health. One study explores whether the app MyDiaMate, when combined with regular care, can reduce worries and tension surrounding T1D, also known as diabetes distress. Another, the Diabetes Body Project, is a study developed for young women in the type 1 diabetes community to promote a healthy body image and prevent eating problems.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Netherlands’ update now!
Breakthrough T1D UK
Dan Farrow, Head of Community Engagement of Breakthrough T1D UK, discussed the Breakthrough T1D-funded study ELSA: Early Surveillance for Autoimmune Diabetes. This research aims to screen 20,000 children aged 3-13 across the UK for T1D. The study will provide crucial insights into practical and effective ways to screen large numbers of children. This study will potentially lay the groundwork for a UK-wide screening program.
Watch Breakthrough T1D UK’s update now!
While our Breakthrough T1D Israel team was not able to join us with a message, we are happy to share the team is safe and providing community support to people with T1D in Israel. Breakthrough T1D International supports those efforts and is also
working with our global partners to determine the best way to support the entire T1D community in the impacted regions. When we have tangible ways
to help people living with T1D in the region, we will share them with our community.
The Global Power of Video Games
Breakthrough T1D Play is a global program spreading awareness, promoting representation, and fundraising through the power of video games. Through in-game integration, live stream fundraisers, game bundles, and eSports tournaments, the program has raised more than $3 million since its inception.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Play’s video celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month!
