Top Type 1 Diabetes Research Breakthroughs to Watch in 2025

New and improved insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), artificial pancreas systems, beta cell regeneration, encapsulation, bionic pump therapy—plus clinical trials happening right now that render individuals insulin independent. 

These trailblazing discoveries alone should be reason enough to commemorate this time in history and hope for even broader breakthroughs on the T1D horizon. 

Type 1 Diabetes Research in 2025

When someone is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the first question they and their loved ones ask is how close are scientists to finding a cure? Since the discovery of insulin in 1921 (over 100 years ago!), diabetes treatment and technological advancements for the chronic disease have come in waves. Now, finally, the pendulum appears to be swinging with upward momentum.

Thanks to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), Diabetes Research Institute and continued government funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), exploration into a cure continues to grow. More specifically, treatments to reverse, slow down and aid individuals with type 1 diabetes seem to have had a resurgence of late.

What's more, StartUp Health's T1D Moonshot Program offers opportunities to entrepreneurs, scientists and philanthropists to accelerate innovation toward managing the disease and finding a cure for T1D.

T1D Advances on the Horizon

When someone thinks of a cure – they expect the illness or disease to cease from being. There is hope for a biological cure for T1D. Ideally, concerning type 1 diabetes care, a cure requires the body to start producing its own insulin again and normalizing blood sugar levels without the added risk of immunosuppression drug side effects.

Here are some diabetes breakthroughs to watch for - that keep improving.

Diabetes Devices: High Tech Insulin Pump Therapy

The Cutting Edge of Automated Insulin Delivery

The science behind automated insulin delivery (AID) systems—using sophisticated algorithms to calculate precisely how much insulin your body needs—is advancing rapidly. These technologies are minimizing, and in some cases eliminating, the need to count carbs, bringing us closer than ever to a true “artificial pancreas.” Several devices stand out for their innovation and impact on daily diabetes management.

 iLet®Bionic Pancreas System (approved for ages 6+)

The iLet® Bionic Pancreas System, approved for ages 6 and older, works seamlessly with the Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM and requires only your weight to get started. Its ACE Pump and iLet Dosing Decision Software handle everything automatically—no carb counting, correction factors, carb ratios, or preset basal rates to manage. By removing these burdensome calculations, the iLet offers a genuinely hands-off approach to insulin delivery.

Medtronic MiniMed™ 780G (AP system approved for ages 7+)

The Medtronic MiniMed™ 780G, approved for ages 7 and up, is the only system with Meal Detection™ technology, allowing real-time insulin adjustments and automatic correction boluses throughout the day and night. If a meal dose is missed or carb counts are underestimated, the MiniMed delivers insulin corrections as quickly as five minutes, reducing the risk of high blood sugars without any extra effort from the user.

The Medtronic 780G paired with the Guardian^™ Sensor (3) and the Guardian^™ Link (3) offers a hybrid closed-loop enhanced AID system. It can also be paired with the new Instinct sensor, made by Abbott., and is approved for use with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Tidepool Loop (Cleared for ages 6 and older)

Tidepool Loop is the first fully interoperable automated insulin dosing app cleared by the FDA, built on a patient-led initiative. This sensor-enabled system integrates CGMs and insulin pumps through a controller that calculates insulin adjustments in real time, sending commands directly to the pump. Its flexibility and interoperability have made it a landmark innovation in diabetes technology.

twiist (Approved for ages 6 and older)

twiist, a newer addition to the AID landscape, builds on the Tidepool Loop algorithm to create a user-friendly, FDA-cleared automated insulin delivery system. Designed for seamless integration with compatible CGMs like the FreeStyle Libre 3, twiist adjusts insulin delivery automatically and allows for a simplified, highly adaptable approach to managing T1D.

Dexcom's G7 (Available ages 2 and up)

The Dexcom G7 CGM, available for ages 2 and up, represents the latest in continuous glucose monitoring technology. Its small, wearable sensor provides real-time glucose readings every five minutes, sending data to your smartphone or watch to guide insulin adjustments. Compared with the Dexcom G6, the G7 sensor is 60% smaller, easier to set up, and has a 30-minute warm-up—the fastest of any CGM currently available. CGMs like the Dexcom G7 help protect against severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, improving overall blood sugar control and patient safety.

CGMs are known to improve a patient's blood sugar level, protecting against severe hypoglycemic episodes and the threat of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Interesting Fact: One would expect Dexcom’s popularity to reach both the T1D and T2D communities, but did you know that even individuals without diabetes are using CGMs to observe the impact of food on their glucose levels to make more informative nutritional choices?

Top Diabetes Therapies

Stem Cell Therapy Implantation

Stem cell therapy involves introducing stem cells into diseased tissue to stimulate the body's self-healing processes. The incredible ability of stem cells to multiply and differentiate into various cell types, such as insulin-producing cells, holds promise for regenerative treatments in diabetes care.

Islet Cell Transplantation & Islet Replacement Therapy

Islets are clusters of beta cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin, the hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. In one form of islet replacement therapy, healthy islets are extracted from a deceased organ donor and transplanted into an individual with type 1 diabetes. This procedure has enabled some patients to reduce or entirely cease their insulin injections.

In June 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lantidra (donislecel), the first allogeneic (deceased donor) islet cell therapy for T1D. Developed by CellTrans, Lantidra is currently utilized in adults experiencing severe hypoglycemic episodes. The therapy involves infusing donor-derived islet cells into the patient's liver, where they can produce insulin, potentially rendering the individual insulin-independent.

In September 2025, UI Health performed the first islet cell transplant using Lantidra, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of brittle T1D. A 69-year-old patient from Illinois received the therapy and was able to discontinue daily insulin injections. Lantidra became available exclusively at UI Health in November 2024

Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Zimislecel: A Breakthrough in Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is advancing a promising stem cell-derived therapy for type 1 diabetes known as Zimislecel (formerly VX-880). This innovative treatment involves the infusion of fully differentiated, insulin-producing islet cells derived from stem cells into the patient's hepatic portal vein. The therapy aims to restore endogenous insulin production and improve glycemic control in individuals with T1D who experience severe hypoglycemic events and impaired hypoglycemic awareness.

As of June 2025, the Phase 1/2/3 pivotal trial for Zimislecel is progressing as planned, with regulatory submission expected in 2026. The study has enrolled a total of 50 participants, marking a significant milestone as the first scalable potential cure for T1D to enter Phase 3 clinical trials.

In the FORWARD study, an expanded Phase 1/2 trial, 10 of 12 participants who received a full dose of Zimislecel remained insulin-independent one year after treatment. These individuals achieved an HbA1c level of less than 7% and maintained over 70% time-in-range, demonstrating the therapy's potential to restore physiological islet function and glycemic control.

Zimislecel represents a significant advancement in the treatment of T1D, offering hope for individuals seeking a potential cure. However, the therapy requires chronic immunosuppressive medication to prevent immune rejection of the transplanted islet cells. Ongoing research aims to refine this approach and explore alternative methods to mitigate the need for long-term immunosuppression.

Encapsulation and Gene-Edited Therapies in Type 1 Diabetes

Encapsulated Islet Cell Therapies in 2025

Encapsulated islet cell therapies aim to protect transplanted insulin-producing cells from the immune system, potentially eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. These therapies involve embedding islet cells within a protective device that allows nutrient and hormone exchange while shielding the cells from immune attacks.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals' VX-264 was an encapsulated islet cell therapy designed to be immunoprotective without the need for immunosuppressive drugs. However, in March 2025, Vertex announced the discontinuation of the VX-264 program. The therapy did not meet the efficacy endpoint, as the encapsulated cells failed to produce sufficient insulin, as measured by C-peptide levels, to justify further development.

CRISPR Therapeutics' VCTX-211

In contrast, CRISPR Therapeutics' VCTX-211 is a gene-edited, stem cell-derived therapy that incorporates encapsulation to protect the insulin-producing cells. The therapy is designed to be immune-evasive, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs. As of 2025, VCTX-211 is undergoing clinical trials at the University of Alberta, Canada.

PIpepTolDC Immunotherapy at City of Hope

The PIpepTolDC trial at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California, is a Phase 1 study investigating an immunotherapy vaccine for type 1 diabetes. This innovative approach involves using a patient's own dendritic cells, which are modified ex vivo to present a beta cell protein, teaching the immune system to tolerate and cease attacking insulin-producing beta cells. The trial is open to individuals aged 18 to 45 who have been diagnosed with T1D within the last four years. The study aims to assess the safety and potential efficacy of this personalized immunotherapy in halting the autoimmune destruction of beta cells.

Umbilical T Cells Plus Liraglutide Trial in China

Also, the Umbilical T Cells Plus Liraglutide clinical trial at the Second Xiangya Hospital in Hunan, China, is exploring the combination of umbilical cord blood-derived regulatory T cells (Tregs) with liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of T1D. Regulatory T cells are vital for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune responses. In this study, Tregs are expanded ex vivo from umbilical cord blood and administered to patients to modulate the immune system and preserve beta cell function. Liraglutide, known for its role in enhancing insulin secretion and beta cell survival, is used adjunctively to improve metabolic control. This trial aims to evaluate the safety and therapeutic effects of this combined approach in individuals with T1D.

Beta Cell Replacement Therapy: Advancements in 2025

Beta cell replacement therapies aim to restore insulin production in individuals with T1D by introducing functional insulin-producing cells. Recent developments have focused on enhancing the efficacy and accessibility of these therapies.

ViaCyte’s PEC-Direct and PEC-Encap

ViaCyte has been at the forefront of stem cell-based islet replacement therapies. Their PEC-Direct system involves implanting a device containing pancreatic endodermal progenitor cells (PEC-01), derived from pluripotent stem cells, under the skin. These cells mature into insulin-producing beta cells, with some patients achieving insulin independence and maintaining C-peptide production for over five years.

The PEC-Encap system, which includes a semi-permeable membrane to protect cells from immune rejection, has shown improved cell engraftment and function in preclinical models. Clinical trials for PEC-Encap are expected to resume following device optimization.

Sernova Cell Pouch™

Additionally, Sernova’s Cell Pouch™ is an innovative implantable device designed to support insulin-producing cells for individuals with type 1. This bio-hybrid organ is surgically implanted under the skin and provides a vascularized environment that promotes the survival and function of transplanted islet cells. In ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials, the Cell Pouch has demonstrated promising results, including islet cell engraftment, insulin independence, and improved glycemic control in patients with severe hypoglycemia and impaired awareness. Notably, some patients have maintained insulin independence for over five years, with histological analyses confirming the presence of functional islet cells producing insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.

Looking ahead, Sernova is advancing to Cohort C of its clinical trial and plans to initiate a new study combining the Cell Pouch with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived islet-like clusters in collaboration with Evotec. This approach aims to further enhance the potential of the Cell Pouch as a functional cure for T1D.

Gene-Edited Replacement Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes

Gene-edited stem cell therapies aim to address two major challenges in treating T1D: restoring insulin production and protecting the newly formed beta cells from immune system attacks. By modifying stem cells to be immune-evasive, these therapies seek to eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs.

CRISPR Therapeutics and ViaCyte's VCTX210

As mentioned above, under a collaboration with ViaCyte, CRISPR Therapeutics developed VCTX210, a gene-edited stem cell therapy for T1D. This therapy involves editing pluripotent stem cells to knock out genes responsible for immune recognition, making the resulting beta-like cells less susceptible to immune system attacks. The first patient was dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2022.

The VX-880 program, which utilizes a similar approach without the protective device, has shown more promising results. To meet the demands of future clinical trials, Vertex is collaborating with Lonza to build a dedicated manufacturing facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to support the large-scale production of VX-880 and other T1D cell therapies.

Diabetes Treatments for 2025

Tzield™ (teplizumab)

Tzield remains the first and only FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for type 1 diabetes. Approved in November 2022, it is indicated for individuals aged 8 years and older with stage 2 T1D to delay the progression to stage 3, where insulin dependence typically begins. Administered as a 14-day intravenous infusion, Tzield works by modulating T cells to preserve beta-cell function.

In September 2025, Tzield received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the same indication, based on the TN-10 study, which demonstrated a median delay of 48.4 months in the onset of stage 3 T1D compared to 24.4 months in the placebo group.

Additionally, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Tzield in August 2025, marking it as the country's first-ever approved immunotherapy for T1D.

Verapamil

Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker traditionally used to treat high blood pressure, has shown potential in preserving beta-cell function in individuals with newly diagnosed T1D. The Ver-A-T1D trial, presented at the 2025 European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting, investigated the effects of slow-release (SR) verapamil (360 mg daily) on beta-cell function in adults with newly diagnosed T1D. The study found that verapamil SR could have a potential effect on preserving beta-cell function

Diabetes Testing

The misdiagnosis of T1D in young adults with type 2 diabetes is an increasingly dangerous problem, which is why testing is so vital to assist those who might have a family history or who are experiencing symptoms. Breakthrough T1D and IQVIA partnered to develop an algorithm using artificial intelligence to identify individuals diagnosed with T2D who actually have T1D. Enable Biosciences also has a simple blood test to determine the correct type of diabetes accurately.

T1D Scout

The T1D Scout program is revolutionizing early detection of type 1 diabetes (T1D) with the first fully online screening initiative in the United States. This innovative approach offers accessible, at-home testing for individuals at risk of developing T1D, regardless of family history.

Disclaimer: T1D Scout and T1D Strong are affiliated non-profit organizations working together to support early detection, education, and resources for type 1 diabetes.

Fun Fact: Humans aren't the only species benefitting from high tech devices. Man's furry best friends, who happens to develop diabetes, can also partake in the wonder of medical science.

A Cure for All

Undoubtedly, it’s an exciting time in history with giant strides and milestones for diabetes mellitus research. Scientists have connected the dots and concentrated their efforts on diabetes management. Moving past simply controlling blood glucose levels with pumps and CGMs to patients participating in clinical trials to reverse T1D—is monumental. When these great ideas come together, a breakthrough cure is sure to follow.