Study: Breakthrough drug significantly delays the onset of type 1 diabetes

Teplizumab significantly delayed the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by 3 years compared to placebo, according to data presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s 80th Scientific Sessions.

In the Phase 2 Teplizumab Prevention Study Clinical Trial, patients considered to be at high risk of developing T1D (based on the presence of ≥ autoantibodies) who received teplizumab had higher rates of insulin secretion and C-peptide levels compared to patients who received placebo, signifying a change in the normal progression of T1D. Patients who received placebo demonstrated no change in the median time to clinical diagnosis of T1D during the follow-up period and maintained a decline in insulin and C-peptide production.

“We are excited and hopeful about what the newly released trial results mean for the type 1 diabetes community. This is the first disease-modifying drug with data showing a long-term delay to insulin dependence,” said Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, President, and CEO of JDRF, in a press release. “This is a major milestone in the global effort to comprehensively understand T1D and support the advancement towards prevention and cures for this disease.”

Prior data presented at the 2019 ADA conference and published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated a 2-year delay in T1D onset for patients treated with teplizumab.

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