Breakthrough T1D has a global plan to speed access to cell therapies that could transform life for people with type 1 diabetes.
Imagine you lost the function of one of your organs. And you had to replace this function by giving yourself daily injections for the rest of your life — just to stay alive. For the close to 300,000 Canadians live with type 1 diabetes (T1D), this is their reality.
What is T1D?
T1D is an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. It is a relentless disease that requires 24/7 monitoring of blood glucose levels and external insulin administration. Even with vigilant management, there are risks of short and long-term complications, damage to kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death. There is currently no cure.
For over 100 years, insulin has been the only treatment. Breakthrough T1D Canada is focused on improving lives for people with T1D today, while supporting critical research into cures and freedom from the disease tomorrow.
Transforming the future of T1D care
Cell therapies have the potential to offer cures for people with T1D. By investing in science and aligning efforts across our global network, Breakthrough T1D is accelerating the path to these transformative therapies and bringing them to the people who need them.
Making these therapies a reality
Canada has played a defining role in diabetes research—from discovering insulin, to pioneering stem cell science, to developing the Edmonton Protocol for islet transplantation and treating hundreds of people with T1D across the country. With this unmatched legacy and deep expertise, Canada is central to advancing cell therapies globally. But developing effective therapies is only one part.
Canada must also be ready to evaluate, approve, and deliver these treatments equitably. That’s why Breakthrough T1D is not only supporting research but also preparing health systems for access and adoption.
Funding research and development
Breakthrough T1D helps to fund cutting-edge research focused on producing healthy insulin-producing cells at scale, protecting them from the immune system, and ensuring they survive long-term after transplantation. Breakthrough T1D support helps researchers move promising discoveries toward clinical testing and encourages sharing of knowledge to speed progress.
Canada remains on the forefront of T1D research and is home to world-leading cell therapy researchers.
Bringing treatments to Canadians
For more than 50 years, Breakthrough T1D Canada and its affiliates have contributed to nearly every major advancement in T1D research. These breakthroughs have added roughly 25 years to the life expectancy of many Canadians with T1D. Additionally, several of the cell therapies now in human clinical trials, were made possible by Breakthrough T1D—but cures are still needed.
Success could mean no more daily insulin injections, constant blood glucose monitoring, carb counting at meals and the relentless decision-making that comes with T1D. Through the research supported by Breakthrough T1D, Canada can lead the way to a future without type 1 diabetes as we know it today, and true freedom for Canadians living with this disease.
Visit BreakthroughT1D.ca to learn more
