Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the body’s ability
to convert glucose from food into energy. In most cases, type 1
diabetes develops early in life and is often diagnosed during childhood.1
The disease starts when the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin2, the hormone that helps convert glucose into energy for the body’s cells. People living with type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin to survive.3
Based on almost 100 years of experience discovering and producing treatments for people with diabetes, our scientists are advancing research to reduce the number of insulin injections required to maintain good glycaemic control, and to prevent low blood glucose (hypoglycaemic) episodes.4
Our ultimate goal is a cure. We are progressing our research in regenerative medicine, such as cell therapy, which may one day be used as a curative treatment for type 1 diabetes.5
1- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Type 1 diabetes. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html#print; last accessed 27.11.2022
2- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Type 1 diabetes. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/what-is-type-1-diabetes.html#print; last accessed 27.11.2022
3- clevelandclinic. Type 1 diabetes. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21500-type-1-diabetes; last accessed 27.11.2022
4- Peyrot M, Barnett AH, Meneghini LF, Schumm‐Draeger PM. Insulin adherence behaviours and barriers in the multinational Global Attitudes of Patients and Physicians in Insulin Therapy study. Diabetic Medicine. 2012 May;29(5):682-9.
5- Diatribe. Stem cells for type1 diabetes. Available at: https://diatribe.org/viacyte-and-crispr-introduce-new-stem-cell-therapy-for-type-1-diabetes; last accessed 29.11.2022
The discovery of insulin more than 100 years ago transformed diabetes from a death sentence into a disease that people can manage.1
Today we are still driving change in diabetes by improving quality of life through innovative new treatments and delivery devices. But we are also committed to driving change within access, education and care to ensure life-saving treatments reach those in need.
1- Endocrine Society. 100 Years of Insulin. Available at : https://www.endocrine.org/news-andadvocacy/blog-endocrine-signals/blog-october2021#:~:text=the%20treatment%20of%20diabetes%2C%20transforming%20the%20disease%20from%20a%20death%20sentence%20into%20a%20manageable%20chronic%20condition.%20. last accessed 27.11.2022
Researching better ways to treat and control type 1 diabetes
Researching better ways to treat and control type 1 diabetes
Keeping your blood sugar levels on target as much as possible can
help prevent or delay long-term, serious health problems.3
Insulin therapy is a vital treatment approach for replacing the
insulin that your body doesn't produce.4
The main
goal of insulin treatment is to mimic the physiological pattern of
insulin secretion to provide better glycemic control.5
Insulin preparation methods and treatment strategies have
advanced significantly. Together with longacting insulin analogs,
rapid-acting insulin analogs better simulate endogenous insulin secretion.6
One of our big ambitions is to develop so-called "smart insulins" that will eliminate hypoglycaemic events.7 This would be the next big breakthrough in type 1 diabetes care. We share this ambition with many partners in the diabetes research community and work closely with them towards a common goal – eliminating hypoglycaemia.
1- IDF (International Diabetes Federation) Atlas_10th_Edition_2021. Diabetes prevalence. Available at: https://diabetesatlas.org/idfawp/resource-files/2021/07/IDF_Atlas_10th_Edition_2021.pdf ; last accessed 23.10.2022
2- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Prevalence of type 1 diabetes. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/what-is-type-1-diabetes.html; last accessed 23.10.2022
3- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). How To Treat Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/low-blood-sugar-treatment.html. Last accessed: 23.10.2022.
4- Mayo Clinic. Using insulin to manage blood sugar. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-treatment/art-20044084. Last accessed: 23.10.2022
5- Sanlioglu AD, Altunbas HA, Balci MK, Griffith TS, Sanlioglu S. Clinical utility of insulin and insulin analogs. Islets. 2013 Mar 1;5(2):67-78.
6- Tibaldi JM. Evolution of insulin development: focus on key parameters. Adv Ther. 2012;29(7):590-619.
7- Diabetes.co.uk.Smart insulin. Available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/smart-insulin.html ; Last accessed: 23.10.2022
We are getting closer in our research for a control treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Together with leading research universities around the world, we are still searching to transform stem cells into glucose-sensing, insulin-secreting beta cells, just like those produced in the pancreas of a healthy person1. In animal studies, these transformed stem cells successfully cured mice with type 1 diabetes.2
We have made significant steps forward, and continue to work on the
remaining challenges. Luckily, we are not alone. We have a solid
network in the scientific community for stem cell research, and with
each day it grows stronger.
It is only a question of when these
collaborations will lead to a cure for the millions of people living
with type 1 diabetes.
1- NIH (National Institute of Health). Developing Insulin-Producing Cells to Treat Diabetes. Available at: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/developing-insulin-producing-cells-treat-diabetes; last accessed 23.10.2022
2- Understandinganimalresearch. Stem cell therapy for Type 1 diabetes a step closer. Available at: https://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/news/stem-cell-therapy-for-type-1-diabetes-a-step-closer; last accessed 23.10.2022
Insulin treatment should be as simple as possible1, and this has always been our philosophy. From better treatments to digital solutions, we strive to ease the burden of living with a chronic disease and meet the diverse needs of millions of people living with type 1 diabetes.2
Within type 1 diabetes, we are currently researching into the following areas:
- Glucose-responsive insulins
- Connected insulin delivery devices
- Curative stem cell treatment.3
When we combine the voice of someone living with a chronic disease with our scientific expertise and engineering skills, we can continue to discover and develop innovative insulins and delivery systems.
1- Peyrot M, Barnett AH, Meneghini LF, Schumm‐Draeger PM. Insulin adherence behaviours and barriers in the multinational Global Attitudes of Patients and Physicians in Insulin Therapy study. Diabetic Medicine. 2012 May;29(5):682-9.
2- clevelandclinic. needs of people living with type 1 diabetes. Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21500-type-1-diabetes; last accessed 23.10.2022
3- NIH (National Institute of Health). Developing Insulin-Producing Cells to Treat Diabetes. Available at: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/developing-insulin-producing-cells-treat-diabetes; last accessed 23.10.2022
