It’s that time of year again: the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions is taking place from June 20-23, 2025. Scientists, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders will travel to Chicago, IL for the biggest annual diabetes conference in the world. Breakthrough T1D will be there to join the discussion about the latest-and-greatest advancements in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, prevention, and care from the best and brightest in the field—including many researchers who have received funding from Breakthrough T1D.
Read on to learn more about what we’re looking forward to.
ADA’s 85th Scientific Sessions
This event is one of the largest diabetes conferences in the world, bringing together over 11,000 attendees to share and learn about cutting-edge research and advancements toward cures. Each year, Breakthrough T1D-funded researchers highlight their work, demonstrating the progress we’re making toward achieving our mission. Leading experts will present over 100 studies spanning cell therapies, disease-modifying therapies, diabetes technology, treatments, and more!
What we’re looking forward to
Cures
- Vertex Pharmaceutical’s phase 1/2/3 trial for zimislecel, a manufactured islet therapy that requires immunosuppression
- Sana Biotechnology’s phase 1 trial for UP421, a donor-derived islet therapy engineered to evade the immune system without immunosuppression
- Strategies for improving islet cell manufacturing, transplantation, survival, and immune protection
- Insights into immune mechanisms in T1D
Cures highlight: Breakthrough T1D-funded research
Several investigators from the Beta Cell Replacement Consortium will present updates on cell therapies research, and we’ll hear from Breakthrough T1D-funded researchers like Jeffrey Millman, Ph.D., on scaling up and optimizing manufactured islets.
Breakthrough T1D funded the phase 2 BANDIT study, which found that baricitinib, a JAK inhibitor, can preserve insulin production as measured by C-peptide. The team of Professor Thomas Kay, MBBS, Ph.D., will provide an update on what we learned from this trial.
Improving Lives
- Adjunctive therapies, like GLP-1 receptor agonists, to improve blood sugar and reduce cardiovascular and kidney complications
- Understanding risk factors, biomarkers, and underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular and kidney disease in T1D
- Innovations in continuous ketone monitoring
Improving Lives highlight: Breakthrough T1D-funded research
Excitingly, we’ll hear the outcomes of the Breakthrough T1D-funded phase 2 ADJUST-T1D study, which tested whether the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide (Ozempic®) can improve blood glucose control in people with T1D and obesity.
Breakthrough T1D-funded researchers will have a lot more to say about adjunctive therapies for T1D—including GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT inhibitors, and others—and how they can improve glucometabolic control and reduce complications. We’ll also hear updates from Erin Cobry, M.D., about an artificial intelligence-based fully closed-loop (no meal announcements) automated insulin delivery (AID) system in adults and youths with T1D.
Did you know that Breakthrough T1D had a hand in AID system development from the very beginning?
Check out this story from Breakthrough T1D volunteer Doug Lowenstein, who recounts the historical journey of AID systems becoming a reality for people with T1D.
Breakthrough T1D is a leader in type 1 diabetes research
Each year, Breakthrough T1D has an increasingly important presence at ADA. Our leadership and staff organize panel discussions, chair symposia, present research, meet with industry leaders, and host gatherings to promote collaboration. Breakthrough T1D staff from each of our priority areas—Research, Advocacy, and Medical Affairs—will be in attendance.
As leaders in T1D research, we broaden our impact at ADA by shining the spotlight on Breakthrough T1D-funded scientists and clinicians. We are incredibly excited to see the advancements we are making toward cures and improving the quality of life of people with T1D—through our funded research and beyond.
Breakthrough T1D leadership and staff paving the way
- Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, will co-chair a symposium with Mark Atkinson, Ph.D., titled “Cardiovascular Complications of Long-Term Diabetes: Type 1 vs. Type 2.”
- Dr. Dutta will also participate in a panel discussion titled “Encapsulation vs. Naked Cell Therapy—Immune Challenges and Beta-Cell Perspectives in Diabetes Treatment.”
- Esther Latres, Ph.D., Vice President of Research, will host a panel discussion with industry partners titled “Headway and Hurdles: How can Diabetes Cell and Gene Therapy Succeed?”
- Dr. Latres will also host a workshop titled “Islet Cells in T1D” after ADA, convening experts from around the world to dive deeper into cures research updates.
- Joshua Vieth, Ph.D., Senior Director of Research, will co-moderate a panel discussion with Diamyd Medical titled “Precision in Diagnosis, Power in Treatment: The Future of Type 1 Diabetes.” Stephen Karpen, Pharm.D., Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, will be a panelist.
- Courtney Ackeifi, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, will speak at the ADJUST-T1D trial update.
- Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill, Ph.D., APRN, CDCES, Vice President of Medical Affairs, will speak on a panel about women in T1D.
Updates coming your way
Be on the lookout for important updates post-ADA in the News and Updates section of our website, including news stories dedicated to Cures, Improving Lives, and Medical Affairs.
Check out on-site coverage from ADA on our social channels featuring Breakthrough T1D leadership. Also, Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., will host a live Facebook Happy Hour on Monday, June 30 at 6 PM Eastern Time. Details to come.
We can’t wait to share the exciting research updates we’ll hear at ADA with our T1D community. This is all made possible through your continued support—thank you!
