At JDRF, we are driving research forward in two core areas: Cures and Improving Lives of people burdened by type 1 diabetes (T1D) today. As members of the T1D community, we understand the struggles and stresses that come with this disease and the challenges to living a healthy and long life. We know people with T1D never get a break; it is something we shoulder every minute of every day. Because we understand, we fight every day to advance research that can make every day safer, healthier and more productive.

To continue driving impactful change, the Improving Lives Program is developing drugs, devices, behavioral health interventions, and their combinations, to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with T1D. Despite incredible innovation and the fact that people with T1D are doing better, we must continue to accelerate the development of drugs and devices that enable people with T1D to live longer, healthier lives. This includes adjunctive therapies, in addition to insulin, that make it easier to live with T1D, therapies such as SGLT inhibitors; insulin and pramlintide co-formulations; and others.

One example of this innovation is research led by Dr. Viral Shah at the Barbara Davis Center at the University of Colorado. In collaboration with three other leading diabetes centers (Henry Ford Hospital, Iowa Diabetes and the Oregon Health & Science University), Dr. Shah is investigating whether a long acting GLP-1R analog, semaglutide (brand names Ozempic and Wegovy), can benefit people with T1D and obesity. Study participants, who are adults with a BMI of 30 and higher and an A1c of >7% despite being on hybrid closed-loop therapy, will receive once-weekly semaglutide to see its effect, compared to placebo, on glycemic control; weight loss; and cardio-renal outcomes over 26 weeks.

Learn more about this this JDRF-funded research project by clicking here.

Dr. Shah shared with the Mountain West Chapter that he’s appreciative of “JDRF’s vision and dedication to improve care for people living with type 1 diabetes. Funding of this trial by JDRF is testimony of that vision and passion.”

Want to learn more about JDRF-funded research in our backyard and around the country? Check out our interactive map! You can also learn more about JDRF’s work in the area of Improving Lives by clicking here.