Research
JDRF is the world’s biggest nonprofit funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our focus is on finding a cure; until we do, the advancements we’re making every day ease the burden of those living with the disease.
Closing in on a cure
No one knows where the cure will come from, but we continue to identify several paths that have the most promise. We invest in the early stages, allowing researchers to pursue innovative ideas and approaches that will lead to breakthrough treatments. Explore our research portfolio below.
Our Research PortfolioInvesting in the future
JDRF works with partners in academia to offer fellowships and grants designed to attract the best and brightest to the field of T1D research.
Meet Our GranteesCure. Prevent. Treat.
Our research has three objectives: cure the body’s inability to control glucose, reversing insulin dependence; prevent the progression of the disease in those at risk or recently diagnosed; and treat people living with T1D with new drugs, therapies and devices that make it easier to stay healthy until the cure comes.
Artificial Pancreas
A technology that constantly monitors blood glucose and administers insulin as needed.
More about Artificial PancreasBeta Cell Replacement
An experimental therapy that involves implanting protected insulin-producing cells inside the body.
More about Beta Cell ReplacementComplications
Treatments that prevent, slow and reverse T1D-related complications affecting vision and kidney function.
More about ComplicationsGlucose Control
Treatments using drugs, including new forms of insulin, to improve blood-sugar control.
More about Glucose ControlImmunotherapies
Treatments that “turn off” the body’s autoimmune attack against its insulin-producing beta cells.
More about ImmunotherapiesPrevention
An effort to prevent T1D through the development of a childhood vaccine, broader screening and improved ability to predict the disease.
More about PreventionBeta Cell Regeneration
Disease-modifying therapies that promote the survival of insulin-producing beta cells.
More about Beta Cell Regeneration
Patrick Collombat, Ph.D.
French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm)
“It is a fantastic opportunity that we have here. We have pretty much arrived at the limit of what we can learn from animal models, and now we are starting clinical trials to check whether this approach can truly help type 1 diabetes patients. It’s really exciting.”
The Research Pipeline
All new therapies progress through a series of stages before they reach the people who need them.
Discovery
In this first stage of development, scientists conduct laboratory studies to form a basis of knowledge around a potential therapy.
“Over nPOD’s 10 years of investigation, we have learned a great deal about how T1D develops in the human pancreas and, in the process, have overturned a number of dogmatic notions regarding the disease’s pathogenesis.”
Pre-Clinical
Initial findings are translated into potential treatments, which are vetted in the lab prior to testing in humans.
“It’s exciting to see beta cell therapies developing, but the core of the disease is the immune component, and we need to solve that too in order to cure T1D. I’m working to find the immune pathways that we need to target in order to deliver a cure.”
Clinical
Trials are conducted with human subjects to test effectiveness and side effects of potential therapies and to better understand how T1D develops.
“As long as I’m participating in this study, I really don’t care if I get placebo or the real drug, I just really want to make a difference.”
Post-Approval
Once therapies are approved by regulators, we leverage our industry partnerships to move them to market, like the first artificial pancreas system approved in 2016.
“This has been a decade of work. We have a [artificial pancreas] system that reduces A1c levels, reduces hypoglycemia and makes life a little bit easier. We have a number of other systems in the pipeline that we’re super excited about.”
Be a part of the research
You can help get life-saving T1D therapies into the hands of people who need them. If you or a close relative has T1D, you may qualify to participate in a trial near you. It’s an easy yet impactful way to join the fight against T1D.