Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Trials
Current clinical trials for people with type 1 diabetes are exploring treatments to restore beta cell function, prevent and treat complications, and reduce the burden of blood sugar management. See if you're eligible to enroll.
Researchers are constantly evaluating new treatments and technologies that could help people with type 1 diabetes live happy, healthier lives. Participating in a clinical trial can go a long way toward advancing treatments and improving health outcomes for people with diabetes.
Here are some trials specifically recruiting people with type 1 diabetes.
Join a type 1 diabetes trial testing insulin-producing cells
This study is investigating whether Vertex’s VX-264, an encapsulated islet cell therapy, can safely restore insulin-producing islet cell function in people with type 1 diabetes without the need for lifelong immunosuppressive medication. The treatment uses an implanted encapsulation device that prevents the body’s immune system from attacking the insulin-producing islet cells.
Another Vertex study is testing an investigational islet cell treatment called VX-880, which does not use encapsulation and requires long-term immunosuppression. The company recently announced plans to expand the number of participants receiving a single dose of VX-880, with the ultimate goal of developing a functional one-time treatment to cure the disease.
Promising new beta cell treatment
The DIAGNODE-3 clinical trial is recruiting people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to see if the immunotherapy drug Diamyd preserves insulin-producing cells as well as improves time in range. New forms of treatment like Diamyd could be an important prevention tool by stopping the destruction of beta cells in those with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
Medication to prevent nighttime lows
The ZONE study is investigating whether an injectable drug, ZT-01, could prevent nighttime hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes. ZT-01 works by increasing the amount of glucagon – a hormone produced naturally in the body when blood sugars drop – produced during hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Ozempic for kidney disease in type 1 diabetes
This study is investigating the effect of Ozempic (semaglutide) on kidney function in people who have type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Semaglutide falls in a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. The drug is approved for type 2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic and for weight management under the brand name Wegovy. It is not currently approved for type 1 diabetes.
Liver-targeted insulin to reduce nighttime lows
This clinical trial will examine the impact of a liver-targeted insulin called HDV-L insulin on blood glucose management, A1C, and nighttime lows. HDV-L insulin is designed to act in the liver to enhance glucose storage and decrease the frequency of severe hypoglycemia.
How periods affect blood sugar and insulin needs
This online study is recruiting participants with type 1 diabetes to help identify changes in blood glucose levels and insulin requirements throughout the menstrual cycle. The study is being conducted by Diabetes Center Berne, a Swiss foundation focused on diabetes technology, and Tidepool, a nonprofit diabetes app developer. The results will inform the development of tools to lower the burden of diabetes management during menstrual cycles.
Virtual therapy to assist diabetes distress and blood sugar levels
This study looks at the effectiveness of using telemedicine-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of problem-focused psychotherapy, to help treat diabetes distress and improve emotional well-being and blood glucose management in adults living with type 1 diabetes.
Overnight patch pump for insulin injection pen users
This virtual, at-home clinical trial will test the effectiveness of Luna, an overnight insulin patch pump worn during sleep. Participants who use multiple daily injections of insulin will wear the pump while sleeping as well as a Dexcom G6 CGM. An embedded automated insulin delivery algorithm will deliver rapid-acting insulin.
More clinical trials to watch out for:
Simplifying automated insulin delivery
- The study will test a new automated insulin delivery system that doesn't require users to count carbohydrates or manually bolus.
Daily weight loss and diabetes medicine
- This clinical trial will study the effectiveness of a once-daily dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist injection, CT-868, in adult participants with excess weight or obesity and type 1 diabetes.
Treatment for retinopathy
- This study will test the effectiveness of the injectable drug tarcocimab in the eye to treat non-proliferative diabetes-related retinopathy.
New use for cholesterol medicine
- Fenofibrate is an oral medicine used to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride (fatty acid) levels in the blood. This study will examine whether the drug is effective in preventing diabetic retinopathy.
Medications to prevent kidney disease
- The SUGARNSALT study will test the use of the SGLT-2 inhibitor, sotagliflozin, in people with type 1 diabetes and moderate to advanced diabetes-related chronic kidney disease.
Sharing CGM data for older people with type 1 diabetes
- This study will examine whether sharing data from a continuous glucose monitor with a caregiver will improve blood sugar management in people with type 1 diabetes and reduce diabetes distress in those who care for them.
Can a tuberculosis vaccine benefit kids with type 1 diabetes?
- This study is investigating if a vaccine used for tuberculosis, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), might provide beneficial effects in people ages 12-17 years with type 1 diabetes.
Test to preserve beta cell function in new-onset type 1 diabetes
- This trial is studying whether the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) can reduce systemic inflammation and prolong beta cell function in people ages 3-35 newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Preserving C-peptide production in new-onset type 1 diabetes
- This study is studying the use of two medicines, abrocitnib and ritlecitinibare, in people ages 12 to 35 recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The study will examine whether either medicine or both are effective in preserving beta cell function as measured by C-peptide, which indicates the level of insulin being produced.
Using mindfulness to support youth with type 1 diabetes
- The BREATHE-T1D study will begin recruiting in late March 2025 to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for teens ages 13-17 with type 1 diabetes to improve depression and anxiety symptoms.
Learn more about type 1 diabetes research and treatments: