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Beta Cell Regeneration

We have an ambitious goal—to restore the body’s ability to create insulin-producing beta cells in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The JDRF Beta Cell Regeneration Program aims to both find and develop treatments that maintain the health and function of beta cells, and to discover and provide therapies to generate new beta cells.

Our Approach

In T1D, beta cells are stressed, hastening the autoimmune process that leads to their death. Beta cells, however, can persist long after T1D diagnosis, and in certain situations the body can even regrow new beta cells. This gives JDRF-funded researchers tools to develop therapies that relieve beta cell stress and promote their survival and regrowth.

  • Make beta cells multiply

    so people with T1D can live without lifelong external insulin

  • Promote the survival of beta cells

    so the “honeymoon period” (immediately following diagnosis when the pancreas is still producing insulin) can last years or even decades

  • Improve the function of remaining beta cells

    to reduce insulin dosage and improve outcomes

“The day I got discharged from the hospital, my pediatric endocrinologist gave us some great news; she had researched some options and there were clinical trials available to help extend the honeymoon phase. My participation in this trial was very beneficial for our whole family, giving us something positive and meaningful to focus on during the difficult period of adjusting to life with T1D.”

Abigail W.

15 years old, diagnosed at 13 years old

Abigail W..

Many Paths, One Purpose

Our research into beta cell regeneration technologies is just one potential pathway to finding a cure for T1D. Explore JDRF’s ambitious research portfolio.

All Research

Get involved and help lead us toward a cure

Patient speaking with health professional

Volunteer for a Clinical Trial
The U.S. Capitol building

Talk to Your Members of Congress About T1D
Crowd of JDRF One Walk participants

Participate in a JDRF Event Near You

Beta Cell Regeneration Progress

2015

Partnership generates hope for regeneration

A partnership between JDRF and pharmaceutical company Novartis yields results that suggest new targets for the development of drugs to stimulate the creation of new beta cells.

2016

Cell conversion advances

JDRF-funded researchers stimulate pancreatic alpha cells to change into functional beta-like cells, with an eye toward potentially regenerating insulin-producing beta cell mass.

2017

Better beta cell function

JDRF-funded investigators recruit 67 adults with new-onset T1D to treat them with the cancer drug Gleevec® (imatinib). Those treated with Gleevec® have better beta cell function and use lower insulin doses than the placebo group.

2018

A drug for blood pressure, and also for beta cells?

A JDRF-funded researcher identifies a blood pressure drug that looks very promising for T1D in clinical trials, showing that it helps to slow the progression of T1D.

Looking Ahead

To date, more than $190 million has been invested by JDRF in beta cell regeneration research. One day, T1D will become a reversible illness, without the threat of long- and short-term complications.

Latest Regeneration Updates