Beta Cell Replacement
Thanks to recent advances, people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) could be freed from their blood glucose monitors and insulin injections for years, or even decades. The JDRF Beta Cell Replacement Program invests in research and clinical trials to develop and deliver life-changing therapies that place healthy, insulin-producing beta cells back into the bodies of people with T1D.
Our Approach
In people with T1D, the autoimmune system destroys the pancreas’s beta cells, which produce insulin. One known way to cure T1D—at least for a short time—is to replace destroyed beta cells with cells that make insulin, and protect them so that they can function for a very long time. Currently, only a small portion of people living with T1D can get this treatment because of the challenges of producing beta cells, and because a beta cell recipient must also take medications to protect the implanted beta cells for the rest of his or her life.
-
![]()
Develop a renewable beta cell source
-
![]()
Find ways to maintain the beta cells
-
![]()
Shield the beta cells from immune attack
Many Paths, One Purpose
Our research into beta cell replacement technology is just one potential pathway to finding a cure for T1D. Explore JDRF’s ambitious research portfolio.
All ResearchGet involved and help lead us toward a cure
Beta Cell Replacement Progress
2018
Funding multiple options for cell therapies
Eli Lilly, a company JDRF has collaborated with for nearly 50 years, announces it will partner with Sigilon Therapeutics to develop encapsulated cell therapies for T1D, using technology that began with JDRF funding.
2018
Advancing novel therapies
The JDRF Beta Cell Replacement Consortium meeting brings the best minds together to advance beta cell replacement treatments. The workshop tackles some of the key research questions facing the beta cell replacement community.
2018
ADA’s scientific sessions: ViaCyte results
JDRF has funded ViaCyte since 2011. Now six companies are testing their beta cell replacement therapies, with the goal of delivering insulin independence without immunosuppression to the diabetes community.
2019
Stem Cells to Beta Cells for Insulin Therapy
JDRF-funded scientists have made a significant advancement in the process of making mature insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells.
Looking Ahead
To date, more than $110 million has been invested by JDRF. Future research will continue to automate blood-sugar management, dramatically reduce T1D-related risks and reduce the burden on people living with the disease.
By automating much of blood-sugar management,
these systems dramatically reduce T1D-related risks and reduce the burden of people living with the disease.