About type 1 diabetes (T1D) research

In the last 12 months, support from community fundraisers like you has made these breakthroughs possible...

Moving towards suppressing T1D progression 

A world-first clinical trial, called BANDIT, showed that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis drug, baricitinib, can preserve the body’s own insulin production and suppress the progression of T1D in those newly diagnosed with the condition.  

The trial was led by Professors Thomas Kay and Helen Thomas from the St Vincent’s Research Institute and demonstrated that the use of baricitinib reduced blood glucose fluctuations and the need for insulin in those who had been diagnosed within the past 100 days.  

This is an incredibly exciting step forward, showing promise for a new therapeutic option for suppressing T1D progression.  

One step closer to replacing the need for insulin therapy 

We are one step closer to replacing the need for regular insulin injections thanks to findings from Professor Sam El-Osta’s research project out of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.   

The project investigated if treatment with two drugs could regenerate insulin-producing cells in donor pancreases. Using these drugs, researchers found that pancreatic cells that don’t normally produce insulin could be made to behave like beta cells, expressing genes associated with beta cells and producing insulin.    

This suggests that one day people with T1D may be able to use cells from their own body to make insulin once again – a game changer for the community.  

Detecting every child with early stage T1D could soon be reality

Over the past year, the Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot has had significant progress.   

The Pilot is testing a range of simple screening methods and ages to determine the best way to introduce routine T1D screening for all Australian children. This would ensure that every child with early stage T1D is detected early, avoids critical illness at the point of diagnosis, is offered necessary medical care and one day, can access therapies to help halt, delay, or even prevent the onset of T1D altogether.     

Recruitment for the Pilot has been completed, and last year, the first primary school to participate saw 75 courageous students across Kindergarten and Year 4 opt in to the program.   

The Pilot, led by Dr Kirstine Bell from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, has the potential to change the trajectory of T1D detection for all children impacted in Australia.   

What's next?

These advancements, and the many more like them, have put Australia on the map as a leader in T1D research. Yet there is more work to be done, and we have three key focus areas for the next phase of research that will push us closer to a world without T1D.

Prevention of T1D

Continue to build on the progress of existing prevention research, such as the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study to understand what environmental exposures can trigger the onset of T1D, and develop therapies that can stop T1D in its tracks. 

Precision medicine for T1D

Focus on research that underpins precision medicine for T1D, creating a future where we can provide the right treatment, to the right person, at the right time. This means moving away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach, instead offering treatments tailored to an individual’s genes, environment, lifestyle, and personal preferences. 

Progress towards cures

We will not stop until our ultimate goal of a T1D cure has been realised. This means pushing new therapies through clinical trials, looking at exciting research areas like stem cells, and providing career support to the best and brightest researchers to keep them in the field. 

"My mission is to do all I can to enable a world where type 1 becomes type none"

Dr Aveni Haynes

"My hope is that more patients with type 1 diabetes will get access to pancreatic cell transplants so they'll be able to make insulin for themselves again"

Dr Toby Coates

"My ultimate goal is to help develop vaccines to prevent type 1 diabetes as well as therapies to treat people already diagnosed"

Dr Ki Wook Kim