It’s that time of year again: the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 86th Scientific Sessions is taking place from June 5-8, 2026. Scientists, researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders will travel to New Orleans, LA 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 are currently funded by Breakthrough T1D or have been in the past.
Read on to learn more about what we’re looking forward to.
ADA’s 86th 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 (DMTs), diabetes technology, treatments, and more!
What we’re looking forward to
Cures
- An overview of the current islet cell therapy landscape for T1D
- Insights into clinical trial design for immune therapies, including evidence supporting the use of C-peptide to measure efficacy
- Updates on T1D immune mechanisms and next-generation DMT targets
- Perspectives on T1D screening, monitoring, and progression
Cures highlight: Breakthrough T1D-funded research
Breakthrough T1D is funding the clinical trial for Eledon’s tegoprubart, a milder alternative to standard immunosuppressants showing promise in protecting donor-derived islet transplants with fewer side effects. We expect to hear more exciting updates from Piotr Witkowski, M.D., Ph.D., the lead investigator on the trial, about the participants in the study.
SAB Bio, a T1D Fund portfolio company, will provide an update on the ongoing clinical trial for their disease-modifying therapy, SAB-142. This therapy, which is being tested in people with newly diagnosed T1D, has the potential to delay T1D progression by targeting multiple immune cells that destroy insulin-producing beta cells.
We will also hear from several Breakthrough T1D-funded researchers who will present their work in cell therapies, covering diverse topics such as immunoengineering, precursor cell biology, beta cell regeneration, and more.
Improving Lives
- Advancements in ketone monitoring and management
- Data around adjunctive therapies, like dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, to improve blood sugar and reduce complications
- Insights into supporting mental and behavioral health for families at risk of developing T1D
Improving Lives highlight: Breakthrough T1D making an impact
Viral Shah, M.D., a researcher funded by Breakthrough T1D, will present an evidence synthesis co-authored by VP of Medical Affairs, Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill, Ph.D., APRN, CDCES, about ketone monitoring and treatment. This goes hand-in-hand with international expert recommendations for continuous ketone monitoring, a recent publication spearheaded by Breakthrough T1D. Even more, a poster co-authored by Dr. Albanese-O’Neill and Jonathan Rosen, Ph.D., Director of Research, will shed light on the perspectives of people with T1D around elevated ketones, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and ketone monitoring.
Additional posters led by Breakthrough T1D staff will dive deeper into the impact of severe hypoglycemic events and impaired hypoglycemia awareness on adults with T1D using advanced diabetes technology, focusing on psychosocial burden, health status, and productivity.
Advocacy and Medical Affairs
Breakthrough T1D’s Advocacy team is leading conversations around health policy and global responsibility, including posters highlighting the current status of device use and Medicare changes and updates to the T1D Index. We’ll also hear a talk about how to ensure access to care for youth with diabetes.
Several presentations are building on clinical adoption of T1D therapies and devices—the core tenant of our Medical Affairs team. This includes talks around clinical workflows for ketone monitoring and DKA prevention, an update to a consensus report on the management of T1D in adults, and integration of T1D screening into clinical care.
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.
Spotlight on Breakthrough T1D staff
- Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, will speak on a panel about advancing manufactured islet cell therapies toward widespread clinical use.
- Dr. Albanese-O’Neill will give a presentation about recommendations for screening and monitoring of T1D and speak in a session about work-life balance.
- Marjana Marinac, Pharm.D., AVP of Regulatory Affairs, will speak about health policy at the #DData Event (DiabetesMine D-Data ExChange).
- Brynn Marks, M.D., Senior Director of Medical Affairs, will speak at an ADA Scholars Workshop about islet cell therapies for T1D and chair a session about the potential for these therapies in the pediatric T1D population.
- Several staff members, including Sarah Pincus (Health Policy), Stephanie Pearson and Fei Wang (Global Responsibility), Dr. Albanese-O’Neill, and Dr. Rosen will have posters on various topics.
- Our Improving Lives team is hosting a happy hour to drive conversations around the benefits of adjunctive therapies like GLP-1s for the T1D community.
Updates coming your way
Be on the lookout for important updates during ADA in the News and Updates section of our website, including news stories dedicated to days 1+2 and days 3+4 of the conference.
Check out on-site coverage from ADA on our social channels featuring Breakthrough T1D staff and leadership. Also, Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., will host a live Facebook Happy Hour on Wednesday, June 10 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!
