Type 2 Diabetes Clinical Trials
Advances in blood glucose management, weight loss, and kidney health are at the forefront of type 2 diabetes research. See if you're eligible to enroll.
Managing diabetes can be challenging, but researchers and volunteers around the world are working hard to achieve a brighter future for people with type 2 diabetes.
Clinical trials allow researchers to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs and technologies. These trials would not be possible without the thousands of brave volunteers who participate each year.
Here are some exciting trials for people with type 2 diabetes that are actively recruiting.
New oral GLP-1 medication
An ongoing study is exploring a once-daily oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron – which is in development but not yet approved – for people with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.
Recent research has shown that orforglipron can effectively lower A1C and reduce body weight in people with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.
Automated insulin delivery for type 2 diabetes
This study is testing how effective the twiist automated insulin delivery (AID) system is for people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin. Currently only available for people with type 1 diabetes, the twiist system is unique in that it offers precise microdosing of insulin and bolusing based on different food types, allowing for more personalized blood sugar management.
Cell-based therapy to treat kidney disease
This ongoing study is investigating whether REACT injections could potentially preserve kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes and advanced kidney disease. REACT (renal autologous cell therapy) is an experimental procedure that involves taking a biopsy from a person’s kidney, isolating and growing more of the cells that are responsible for repairing damage, and then injecting those cells back into the person. Preliminary results suggest that this process is particularly effective at improving kidney health for people with late-stage kidney disease.
Medication for diabetes-related nerve damage
This study is exploring whether the once-weekly injectable drug CagriSema can provide pain relief to people with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage in the arms and legs. CagriSema is a new medication (but not yet approved) that combines the GLP-1 drug semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) with a molecule that mimics amylin, another blood sugar- and appetite-regulating hormone. Studies so far suggest CagriSema to be effective for both blood sugar and weight management
New use for cholesterol medicine
The Protocol AF trial is studying the effectiveness of fenofibrate – an oral medicine commonly prescribed to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride (fatty acid) levels – for slowing the progression of diabetic retinopathy. In some other countries, the drug has also been approved to treat retinopathy, an eye disease that causes progressive loss of vision.
Medications for heart health
This large, global study is testing whether taking a new investigational drug, vicadrostat, alongside empagliflozin (Jardiance) can further reduce the risk of heart health emergencies for people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Vicadrostat is designed to lower blood pressure by reducing the amount of aldosterone that the body makes; aldosterone is a hormone that regulates blood pressure, which affects heart and kidney health. Researchers suggest that used in combination with Jardiance – an SGLT-2 inhibitor used for managing blood sugar – vicadrostat may help reduce cardiovascular risks in this population.
Retatrutide for heart and kidney disease
This ongoing study is testing whether weekly injections of retatrutide – a potential new medication that mimics three blood sugar- and appetite-regulating hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) – reduce a person’s risk of experiencing serious heart and kidney problems. Past research suggests that retatrutide may be even more effective for weight loss than tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), which targets two of those hormones.
More clinical trials to watch out for
Once-weekly insulin for type 2 diabetes: This study is assessing how well once-weekly insulin icodec – which is improved in countries like Canada, Australia, and Japan but not the U.S. – works compared to daily long-acting insulin in people with type 2 diabetes.
Novel medications: This study is assessing amycretin, an experimental new drug for blood sugar and weight management in people with type 2 diabetes. This drug is being studied as both a once-weekly injection and a once-daily oral tablet.
Preventing kidney disease progression: This study is testing a new medicine in combination with empagliflozin (Jardiance) to see if it can help people with chronic kidney disease. People with or without type 2 diabetes are welcome to take part.
Learn more about type 2 diabetes research and treatments here: