Advocacy
Cell Therapies
Cures
Project ACT
Cell Therapies
Placing and protecting healthy beta cells in the body
What are Cell Therapies?
Cell therapies replace destroyed beta cells with external insulin-producing cells and protect them so that they can function for a very long time.
In people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the autoimmune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin. Our goal is to grow these cells in a laboratory and discover a way to keep them safe inside the body without the need for chronic immunosuppression.
Our Approach
Breakthrough T1D’s Cell Therapies Program focuses on replacing destroyed beta cells with functional cells that can restore insulin therapy independence and improve glucose management, ideally without broad immunosuppression.
Develop a renewable beta cell source so that every person with T1D can get this treatment.
Find ways to maintain the beta cells so they stay functional in the body for years—or even decades.
Shield the beta cells from immune attack to prevent the need for anti-rejection drugs or the recurrence of T1D.
Cell Therapies by the Numbers
50+
world-renowned scientists make up the Breakthrough T1D Beta Cell Replacement Consortium
10+
companies have tested their cell therapies with Breakthrough T1D funding
$160 million+
has been invested in cell therapies by Breakthrough T1D in the past 10 years
Project ACT
Project ACT (Accelerate Cell Therapies) is a Breakthrough T1D initiative to dramatically speed cell therapy products as T1D cures through coordinated efforts to simultaneously advance research, development, regulatory, access, and adoption.
Cell therapies could cure people with T1D. By safely accelerating their development more people will have access to these treatments more quickly.
The Latest News in Cell Therapies Research
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Cell Therapies Clinical Trials
Cell Therapies Clinical Trials Project ACT
More Paths to Cures for Type 1 Diabetes
Breakthrough T1D is working to develop a global universal T1D early detection strategy to identify high-risk individuals, reduce DKA at diagnosis, and speed up the development of disease-modifying therapies.
Breakthrough T1D is powering the research and development of new therapies that can slow, halt, or reverse the course of T1D.
