Immune Therapies
JDRF is striving to accomplish a feat that has never been achieved before: permanently turning off an autoimmune response in humans. The JDRF Immune Therapy Program aims to turn off the deadly attack against beta cells that causes type 1 diabetes (T1D). We power groundbreaking research and development of new therapies that will stop the autoimmune attack at its earliest stages.
Our Approach
Our immune systems protect us against threats from within and without. In people with T1D, the immune system mistakes the body’s own cells for dangerous invaders and targets the pancreas’ insulin-producing beta cells. As a result of beta cell death, people with T1D depend on external insulin to survive.
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Disable overactive immune assassins
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Boost “good” cells
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Restore the environment
Many Paths, One Purpose
Our research into immune therapy technologies is just one potential pathway to finding a cure. Explore JDRF’s ambitious research portfolio.
All ResearchGet involved and help lead us toward a cure
Immune Therapy Progress
2016
Immune therapies with nanoparticles
JDRF partners with AnTolRx, a developer of nanoparticle-based therapies to treat autoimmune diseases, to use the company’s technology for T1D.
2017
TetraGenetics receives investment from JDRF T1D Fund
TetraGenetics used its proprietary technology to discover a pool of novel monoclonal antibodies that inhibit immune activity, which could play a role in treating T1D.
2018
Blood pressure drug might slow T1D
Researchers, both of whom were JDRF grantees, report that a clinical trial of the drug methyldopa, used for over 50 years to treat high blood pressure, might delay the progression of new-onset T1D.
2019
FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Teplizumab—Based on the First Study to Delay the Onset of T1D for 2+ Years
For the first time ever, an immunotherapy treatment was able to significantly delay—for over two years—the onset of T1D in participants with a high risk of developing the disease.
Looking Ahead
To date, more than $145 million has been invested by JDRF on immune therapy research. We are striving to accomplish a feat that has never been achieved before: permanently turning off an autoimmune response in humans.