Bonjour from Montreal, Canada, where the latest and greatest in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research was presented at the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) 51st Annual Conference. ISPAD is a yearly highlight of the T1D conference calendar, and this year was no exception. Scientists, clinicians, researchers, industry members, people with diabetes, and more were on hand to provide updates in cures, improving lives, access, and more—with much of it being supported by Breakthrough T1D.
Let’s take a look at the highlights.
About ISPAD
ISPAD is one of Breakthrough T1D’s peer organizations. They are dedicated to childhood and adolescent diabetes all over the world. In addition to collaborating in scientific advancements, Breakthrough T1D and ISPAD also fund several grants together—including providing support for clinical fellows from around the world to learn how to care for people with T1D from top-tier clinicians.
Tzield is being studied in kids under 8
Tzield has been in the news for a variety of reasons lately. Sanofi—the manufacturer of Tzield—recently received a voucher from the FDA for the use of Tzield in symptomatic, stage 3 T1D (for which it is not yet approved), potentially expediting the regulatory review process.
Tzield is currently approved for children and adults aged eight years and older in stage 2 T1D to delay the onset of stage 3 T1D. An ongoing study is investigating if Tzield can delay the progression of T1D from stage 2 to stage 3 in a new demographic: kids under eight.
At the ISPAD conference, researchers presented an interim analysis from the PETITE-T1D study, which is investigating if Tzield is as safe and tolerable in kids under eight in stage 2 T1D as it is in older individuals.
So far, 23 children have received a 14-day course of Tzield. To date, the safety and tolerability profile of Tzield is similar to that of older individuals who receive the drug. Two children in the study have progressed to stage 3 T1D.
This study is ongoing and we look forward to seeing more data.
Key takeaway
Tzield can delay T1D onset by an average of 3 years. This important study is determining if a new population—kids with T1D under eight years old—can benefit, and the data so far is encouraging.
Breakthrough T1D taking the stage
Breakthrough T1D leadership was on site to present and chair sessions.
- Chief Scientific Officer Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D., gave an overview of Breakthrough TD’s mission strategy and chaired a session jointly with ISPAD.
- Chief Medical Officer, Global, Thomas Danne, M.D., was there to discuss Time in Normoglycemia, which is blood sugars between 70 and 140 mg/dl, and how technology can help kids achieve it.
- Vice President of Medical Affairs, Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill, Ph.D., APRN, CDCES, served as faculty for the 21st Annual ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals that took place immediately before the ISPAD Conference.
- Community Engagement & Communications Director, Global Access & Global Responsibility, Renza Scibilia, hosted a symposium on advancing diabetes care in complex settings.
Technology improves outcomes
A motif that was repeated by many, many investigators: automated insulin delivery (AID) systems help people do better. This spans several different technologies and systems: Tandem Control IQ, Minimed 780G, Cam APS, and OmniPod. Here’s why:
- The near-constant adjustments made by these systems are always working to meet glycemic targets.
- They can help people get closer to their glycemic targets with less user input.
- They lower the mental burden of T1D, helping people less engaged with managing their T1D do better.
Key takeaway
It is widely established that AID systems lead to better outcomes. It’s important to continue to ensure that everyone has access to these systems and that they work better with less user input. They must become the standard of care across the world for kids with T1D.
The importance of clinical trials for stage 3 T1D
Stage 3 is when people are typically diagnosed with T1D. At this stage, beta cell function has not been completely eliminated. Individuals are still making insulin—not enough, but some. Decades of research by Breakthrough T1D and others has demonstrated clear benefits to holding onto beta cell function for as long as possible.
Clinical trials for individuals in stage 3 are few and far between. While there are exceptions (like the recently announced BARICADE-PRESERVE), we need more trials because people in stage 3 T1D can benefit from therapies to keep these cells alive and producing insulin for longer.
Key takeaway
Prioritizing clinical trials for stage 3 T1D—and recruiting for them—can be a bridge between better glycemic control today and future cures.
See you in 2026
2026 is going to be a big year—with many more T1D conferences to cover. This includes, for the first time, our very own conference: the 2026 Breakthrough T1D Clinical and Research Congress.
Stay tuned for the 2025 Top Advances piece in the coming weeks to see everything we’ve accomplished this year as we look towards the next one.
