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 Portfolio

Investing 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 Grantees

Cure. 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.

Beta Cell Replacement

An experimental therapy that involves implanting protected insulin-producing cells inside the body.

Complications

Treatments that prevent, slow and reverse T1D-related complications affecting vision and kidney function.

Glucose Control

Treatments using drugs, including new forms of insulin, to improve blood-sugar control.

Immunotherapies

Treatments that “turn off” the body’s autoimmune attack against its insulin-producing beta cells.

Prevention

An effort to prevent T1D through the development of a childhood vaccine, broader screening and improved ability to predict the disease.

Beta Cell Regeneration

Disease-modifying therapies that promote the survival of insulin-producing beta cells.

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.

Mark A. Atkinson, Ph.D., a type 1 diabetes researcher at University of Florida

“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.”

Mark A. Atkinson, Ph.D., University of Florida

Pre-Clinical

Initial findings are translated into potential treatments, which are vetted in the lab prior to testing in humans.

Andrew Sutherland, Ph.D., a type 1 diabetes researcher

“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.”

Andrew Sutherland, Ph.D., St. Vincent’s Institute

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.”

Jadah Schuh, Clinical Trial Participant

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.

Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., Chief Mission Officer at JDRF

“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.”

Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., JDRF Chief Mission Officer

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.

Find a Trial