100 years after the discovery of insulin, JDRF is pleased to announce the results of the first annual Beyond Insulin™ Vote for Research.
Thirty-seven founding members committed to recurring annual donations, supporting life changing type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, and providing stable funding to the most promising pathways to a cure.
Following a brief introduction to three encouraging research projects, members attended a Virtual Research Presentation led by JDRF Canada’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Sarah Linklater to learn more. These same members were then offered a first-time opportunity to vote; either personally or by proxy, to direct the collective funds of the Beyond Insulin members.
“Our granddaughter was diagnosed at 2 years of age with [T1D]. As devastating as it is to receive the news of her diabetes diagnosis, I feel you just have to roll up your sleeves and manage it with the guidance, training, research and assistance of her medical care providers. It is not often that a family is able to have influence on the direction of research. Beyond Insulin motivated our contribution and participation.” -Anonymous Beyond Insulin Member
“I was pleased to be able to judge the projects and vote on which was preferred. Of course, it was a difficult choice since all three have value to the community with T1D.” said Monica Seger, a Beyond Insulin Member.
Next year, Beyond Insulin members will again be given the option to accelerate the funding of a pre-approved research project. As membership grows, so too will the funding opportunities, helping us to move beyond insulin.
What would a cure mean?
“It would mean relief, joy, and freedom for the entire family. Of greater importance would be the impact it would have on my granddaughter’s future quality of life as a young adult and beyond. NORMALITY! It would mean relief of stress on her parents, that will be life long without the cure. My wife and I would encourage anyone and everyone to join Beyond Insulin.”
La mission de FRDJ, qui consiste à améliorer la vie des personnes atteintes du diabète de type 1 et à guérir la maladie ne se fait pas en solitaire. Cela nécessite un engagement avec des intervenants qui croient en ce que nous avons l’intention de faire et qui peuvent nous aider à faire avancer notre mission – et ce groupe comprend les organismes de réglementation. À FRDJ nous sommes conscients de l’importance de son engagement auprès des organismes de réglementation afin d’ouvrir et offrir des voies claires et raisonnables pour les activités de recherche scientifique, l’approbation de traitements médicaux et la guérison des maladies du diabète de type 1.
C’est pourquoi que, le 24 février 2021, on a eu le plaisir à FRDJ de réunir des organismes de réglementation, des chercheurs, des représentants de l’industrie, des organismes de lutte contre le diabète et des patients canadiens pour promouvoir le dialogue, pour échanger des connaissances et d’entendre parler directement des traitements nouveaux et émergents pour le DT1, cela lors de notre deuxième symposium sur la recherche, organisé en partenariat avec Santé Canada.
Notre premier symposium de recherche a eu lieu en 2018, et comme nous commémorons cette année le 100e anniversaire de la découverte de l’insuline, cela était normal d’en organiser un autre. Cette année, l’événement est passé à un format virtuel, mais avec le même résultat, attirant des présentateurs et des participants de tout le pays.
Deux thèmes majeurs du Dr Norman Rosenblum, directeur de l’Institut de recherche en santé du Canada (IRSC), et du Dr Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret de l’Université de Montréal, ils ont ouvert la voie aux séances interactives suivantes.
Le docteur Rosenblum a fait un tour d’horizon concernant le fardeau du plus lourd du diabète au Canada et de la façon dont notre organisme fédéral de financement de la santé fait la lutte contre le diabète en 2021, grâce à un certain nombre de possibilités de financement stratégique, — incluant ceux en partenariat avec FRDJ.
Le docteur Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret a prononcé un discours passionnant sur la COVID-19 et le DT1, mettant l’accent sur les personnes atteintes du DT1 lesquelles courent un risque plus élevé de complications graves liées à la COVID-19.
Après les discours d’ouverture, trois séances interactives simultanées ont eu lieu, chacune portant sur un thème distinct important pour la communauté des personnes atteintes de DT1, et chacune mettant en vedette un conférencier de Santé Canada.
La première, intitulée Aller au-delà de l’insulinothérapie d’aujourd’hui Moving Beyond Insulin Therapy of Today, mettait l’accent sur les traitements d’appoint à l’insuline, les traitements en boucle fermée, les progrès réalisés dans le remplacement des cellules bêta et le traitement de l’hypoglycémie grave, en mettant en évidence le glucagon nasal.
La deuxième séance était dédiée à l’innovation des dispositifs en matière de gestion du DT1, laquelle traitait l’interopérabilité des dispositifs, l’administration automatisée de l’insuline, la cybersécurité des dispositifs médicaux et le point de vue de la communauté des personnes atteintes de DT1.
La troisième session, consacrée à l’immunothérapie et aux marqueurs biologiques, a principalement porté sur la prévention du DT1, les progrès dans le développement de l’amélioration des biomarqueurs, la thérapie spécifique aux antigènes pour les DT1 et la réglementation des produits d’insuline.
Durant les trois sessions on a abordé les thèmes qui englobent l’importance du choix du patient, de l’accès aux dispositifs et aux médicaments susceptibles d’alléger le fardeau de la gestion de la maladie et de réduire les complications, ainsi que de la nécessité d’accélérer la recherche du laboratoire aux essais cliniques. Les séances ont été suivies de tables rondes et de questions-réponses avec le public, ce qui avait pour but l’identification des obstacles et de permettre la promotion de nouvelles solutions identifiées pour le DT1 vers la clinique.
Les exposés de cet événement ont été l’occasion de mettre en évidence des recherches canadiennes diverses et passionnantes sur les thérapies émergentes pour le DT1 qui seront importantes pour toutes les personnes qui sont touchées par cette maladie – que ce soit vous, un parent, un membre de la famille, un médecin ou un chercheur.
À FRDJ on est reconnaissant envers Santé Canada pour son leadership dans les nombreux domaines de la science et de la réglementation qui ont fait l’objet des discussions, pour sa collaboration pour avoir rendu possible cet événement et pour sa détermination dans l’amélioration de la vie des Canadiens atteints de diabète.
Merci encore à tous ceux pour le partage de leur temps et leur expertise et qui ont participé à la conférence. L’ampleur et le rythme de la recherche sur le DT1 au Canada sont impressionnants.
Il aurait été impossible de tenir cet événement sans le généreux soutien de nos partenaires du secteur de l’apprentissage, Medtronic, Abbott, Dexcom et Eli Lilly.
Merci également à Santé Canada pour son partenariat et au personnel de FRDJ qui a travaillé sans relâche pour avoir organisé cet événement.
JDRF’s mission of improving lives and curing type 1 diabetes (T1D) cannot be achieved alone. It requires us to engage with stakeholders who believe in what we have set out to do and are able to help drive our mission forward – and this group includes regulators. JDRF recognizes the importance of engaging with regulators in order to to help shape and provide clear and reasonable pathways to scientific research and therapy approvals for T1D treatment and cure therapies.
That is why on February 24, 2021, JDRF was pleased to bring together Canadian regulators, researchers, industry representatives, diabetes organizations, and patients to foster dialogue, exchange knowledge and hear first-hand about new and emerging treatments for T1D, in our second research symposium, held in partnership with Health Canada.
Our first research symposium was held 2018, and as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin this year, it was fitting that we hold another. This year, the event moved to a virtual format, but with the same impact, drawing presenters and participants from across the country.
Two keynotes from Dr. Norman Rosenblum, Director of CIHR’s Institute for Nutrition, Metabolism & Diabetes, and Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret from the University of Montreal, set the stage for the interactive sessions that followed.
Dr. Rosenblum presented an overview the increasing burden of diabetes in Canada, and how our federal health funding agency is addressing diabetes during 2021 with a number of strategic funding opportunities – including some in partnership with JDRF.
Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret delivered a fascinating keynote address about COVID-19 and T1D, highlighting that people with T1D are at a higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19.
After the keynotes, there were three concurrent interactive sessions, each covering distinct themes important to the T1D community, and each featuring a speaker from Health Canada.
The first was Moving Beyond Insulin Therapy of Today, which focused on adjunctive-to-insulin therapy, closed-loop therapy, advances in beta-cell replacement and the treatment of severe hypoglycemia, highlighting nasal glucagon.
The second was Device Innovation in T1D Management, which discussed device interoperability, automated insulin delivery, medical device cybersecurity and the T1D community perspective.
The third was Immunotherapy and Biomarkers which focused on prevention of T1D, advances in development of improved biomarkers, antigen-specific therapy for T1D and regulation of insulin products.
All three sessions touched on the overarching themes of the importance of patient choice, access to devices and drugs with the potential to lessen the burden of disease management and reduce complications, and the need to accelerate research from the lab to clinical testing. The sessions were followed by panel discussions and audience Q&A that were designed to identify barriers and solutions to advance new solutions for T1D to the clinic.
The presentations at this event highlighted diverse and exciting Canadian research on emerging therapies for T1D that will be critical to all who are touched by this disease – whether it’s you, a parent, family member, doctor or researcher.
JDRF is grateful to Health Canada for their leadership in the many areas of science and regulation that were discussed, for their collaboration in making this event possible, and their dedication to improving the lives of Canadians living with diabetes.
Thank you again to everyone who shared their time and expertise and who attended. The depth and pace of T1D research in Canada is impressive.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our learning partners, Medtronic, Abbott, Dexcom and Eli Lilly.
Thank you as well to Health Canada for the partnership and to the JDRF staff who worked tirelessly putting this event together.
Learn more about the presenters and watch the recordings here.
Halloween day will never be the same for Conrad Pow as that was the day in 2018 when his daughter Chloe was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Determined to find the best possible tools to take care of his daughter’s diabetes, Pow says everything changed when Chloe started using the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. By wearing a sensor and carrying a phone with her, she would get relief from all the finger pokes* and could be alerted if her glucose levels crossed certain thresholds and needed attention. For Pow, the Dexcom Follow app† was a real game-changer, allowing him to see Chloe’s glucose levels at any time of day or night – even when he wasn’t with her.
“Being able to see Chloe’s levels remotely allowed us to give Chloe more freedom, and gave our family more peace of mind. It’s been amazing.”
Pow said it was a priority for him to ensure Chloe could participate in everything her big sister Kaitlyn did, and allow her to have a fun childhood.
“When the girls go off together on a bike ride or head to a friend’s house for a sleepover, I can still keep an eye on Chloe’s levels from home. I want to protect her, but I also just want her to be a kid.”
For the Pow family, having adventures and making memories has always been the core of their approach to life. “The Dexcom G6 has given us more confidence to live life to the fullest, while still doing what needs to be done to manage Chloe’s diabetes. I simply couldn’t be more proud to have such a strong and happy six-year-old.”
For more information about the Dexcom G6, go to www.dexcom.com or ask your healthcare provider for a free sample.
*If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom G6 do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
†Following requires the Dexcom Follow app and an Internet connection. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G6 app before making treatment decisions.
This past month, as part of JDRF’s #AccessforAllcampaign, British Columbians impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D) came together with patient advocates, clinicians and elected officials to discuss the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (Flash GM) devices, and the need to cover these technologies under B.C. Pharmacare.
Nearly a dozen Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) participated in the four-part series alongside other participants, which made for a lively and engaging discussion.
Dozens of people of all ages and backgrounds shared their personal experiences using CGM and Flash GM devices, and the power these technologies have to be not only lifesaving, but lifechanging.
“We have the technology that allows self-driving cars, yet we are so behind in devices that can save lives.”
Their testimonials were emotional and impactful, and reaffirmed one more time the crucial need for provincial coverage of these devices:
Sophie Orth:
“I was diagnosed when I was 3 years old. Throughout my life, I had the luxury of having CGM and Flash GM devices to help me manage my diabetes. But due to unforeseen circumstances, my family struggled to afford CGM and Flash GM technology which forced me to reverse back to using the finger pricking method. Now, I have to see my doctor every week which is extremely difficult for me being in my graduation year. We don’t know what to do.”
Alyssa Florence:
“One night, my mom couldn’t wake me up. I was pale, freezing, had a massive headache, lost my vision, and could not move. My mom brought me to the hospital and the doctor told her that every organ in my body was getting attacked by the acid in my blood. If my mom had not brought me to the ER, I don’t think I would be here to tell you this story. All it takes is a CGM device to avoid all this. We have the technology that allows self-driving cars, yet we are so behind in devices that can save lives.”
Lisa Macdonell:
“CGM costs me $300 a month which adds up to $8000 a year to manage my diabetes. I am retired and struggling to afford CGM. My body doesn’t tell me when I’m low, so without CGM, I’m unable to participate in normal activities such as hiking or driving. I pay for CGM out of pocket because it’s a necessary device to keep me alive. The CGM alerts allow me to sleep through the night and feel safe.”
Miguel Alvarez:
“Living with T1D, no two days are the same and it’s a relentless condition that you have to monitor day and night, for the rest of your life. Reflecting on my past 51 years with this disease, CGM has been the most significant improvement to my treatment. CGM is not only a game-changer to help me manage my disease, but it helps practitioners make better-informed decisions with accurate data. I am lucky enough to get good coverage from my employer to cut costs, but how can it be that only those who can afford it live a better life? The benefits are clear and it’s time to do something about it.”
What’s next?
Access for All, our campaign to make CGM and Flash GM affordable and accessible for everyone living with T1D, is ramping up in British Columbia. Currently, neither CGM nor Flash GM are covered under B.C. Pharmacare. The B.C. government has been studying reimbursement for these devices and Minister of Health Adrian Dix has in the past suggested that coverage could be coming this year. We will keep you updated on the progress of this campaign.
If you haven’t already done so, please write to your MLA and tell them Canadians need access to Flash GMs and CGMs. Sophie, Alyssa, Lisa, Miguel and thousands more Canadians living with type 1 diabetes need your help to live easier, healthier, safer lives.
Take a few minutes and send them a message now then share this action with family and friends.
Here is an overview of our most recent efforts to demand affordable and accessible diabetes technologies for all Canadians living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
You may remember from our last update that Yukon received #AccessForAll, thanks to the advocacy efforts of adults, parents and others touched by T1D. The Yukon government has moved to fully reimburse continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (Flash GM) for people of all ages.
We were also pleased that all the Saskatchewan parties agreed on more coverage. This was great news for those with T1D living in the Yukon and Saskatchewan.
Manitoba
Our advocacy efforts in Manitoba continue to centre around extending age coverage for insulin pumps to 18+ learn more about this issue here.
JDRF is calling for a Made-in-Manitoba plan to support Manitobans in our upcoming budget submission.
In it, we ask that the government remove the current age restrictions for insulin pumps and extend coverage to all ages. We also ask that it invests in public coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and flash glucose monitors (Flash GM) for all ages. This plan would significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes for Manitobans with T1D, but also allow for a more equitable and innovative health care system on par with other provinces and territories.
We hope to build on the success from parent and student led advocacy efforts in both the Yukon and Saskatchewan, so that Manitoba doesn’t get left behind.
British Columbia
We hosted four online community events from Jan 26th to Feb 4th that invited members of the BC T1D community and JDRF donors to show their support for #AccessForAll. These events were held to send a clear message to the B. government to cover CGM and Flash GM under B.C. Pharmacare.
The BC government is actively considering coverage for these technologies, and these events were held to ensure that the issue remains front and centre to ensure coverage that those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) need.
The events were held in Fraser Valley, Northern & Island, the Interior – Tues. Feb 2 and Vancouver Coastal. Healthcare professionals and members of the T1D community shared their stories about the coverage issues and why access to T1D technology is so important. Elected officials were in attendance to connect with and learn from their constituents. We hope that by sending a strong message to BC representatives, we will see a commitment to funding these devices in the next provincial budget.
Pre-Budget recommendations submitted to the Government of Ontario
We are still advocating to the Ontario government to expand device access beyond Flash GM (currently covered for those under age 25, on disability or receiving social assistance who have no private insurance coverage and those over age 65), and also include funding for CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) devices.
Included as well in our pre-budget submission was the recognition of how virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and is likely to continue once the pandemic ends. Virtual care tied to access to Flash GM and CGM devices reduces both impact on the healthcare system and hallway medicine. This has health and economic benefits for the province.
Update from Brooke Roche, MBA, BEDS – Prime Minister’s Youth Council Member
JDRF volunteer advocate Brooks Roche has been extremely busy, reaching out to both members of the PEI and NFLD governments and federal MPs advocating for full coverage of Flash GM, CGM and insulin pumps in Atlantic Canada.
In September, the Prime Minister’s Youth Council met to discuss a wide range of topics with the PM – including the implementation of a national diabetes strategy. Brooks presented a fiscal, social, and celebratory case for comprehensive action, and in response the Prime Minister has committed to advocate in favour of implementing Diabetes 360 and to discuss the matter with Ministers Hajdu and Freeland in their coming meetings. He will also be involved in upcoming discussions with the PM and Minister Qualtrough on the Canada Disability Benefit referenced in the Speech from the Throne.
Brooks is doing amazing advocacy work and we’re very grateful to him.
Read his opinion piece published on CBC News to recognize the milestone anniversary of a 100 years since the discovery of insulin and the call to action for a national diabetes strategy here.
Our youth ambassadors took to the Hill virtually in 2020
Our Kids for a Cure Lobby Day-Home Edition was a great success. During the week of November 2nd, delegates joined JDRF for its annual Kids for a Cure Program. This year, due to COVID the event was held virtually.
Kids for a Cure is an initiative designed to raise awareness about the daily challenges faced by those living with type 1 (T1D) diabetes and the need for more Canadian research in this field. Throughout the week, our youth ambassadors share their personal stories of what it is like to live with T1D with Members of Parliament and Senators.
JDRF’s federal budget submission highlighted the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the insulin hormone– and emphasized how this remains the only treatment for people with diabetes and is not a cure. While technology has greatly improved the lives of people living with T1D, it is now time to more aggressively pursue research into cures.
The following three recommendations were submitted, with supporting evidence both to their demonstrated benefit to the health of Canadians living with T1D and economically.
Recommendation 1: The Government of Canada should honour next year’s centenary of the discovery of insulin through renewed research investment of $15M in the JDRF-CIHR Partnership to Diabetes to be matched by JDRF and its partners.
Recommendation 2: As recommended in the Disability Advisory Committee’s (DAC) First Annual Report, Canadians requiring life-sustaining therapy, including insulin therapy, should automatically qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Recommendation 3: As recommended by the Standing Committee on Health in A Diabetes Strategy for Canada, the Government of Canada should invest in the implementation of a national diabetes strategy (Diabetes 360o) with specific outcomes for the different types of diabetes.
March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD) globally. This 2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge:
‘A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.’https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
JDRF is pleased to rise to the challenge by celebrating the achievements of our women researchers. We are the leading charitable funder of research into cures and disease modifying therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Among the many people working tirelessly to help create a world free from T1D are a number of exceptionally talented women.
Meet some of our women researchers:
Dr. Gillian Booth, a JDRF-funded scientist at the Centre for Urban Health Solutions within the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, and a team of researchers are aiming to improve glucose control and patient experiences by using modern technologies to optimize the way health care is delivered to people with T1D.
Dr. Yi-Chun Chen is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan, her Master of Science in cell biology at the University of Connecticut and her PhD in cellular and integrative physiology from Indiana University School of Medicine in the United States.
Dr. Jayne Danska holds the Anne and Max Tanenbaum Chair in Molecular Medicine. She is a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children. Her research addresses the idea that the dramatic increase in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases over the past 50 years results, in part, from changes in our exposure to microbes. She is studying the role of the community of microbes that inhabit the human intestine (the microbiome) in altering risk for, and the progression of, T1D. The ultimate objective of her work is to identify new therapeutics to prevent the disease.
Dr. Heather Denroche (BC) – is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia who is currently examining a hormone called islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), produced by pancreatic beta cells and released in response to elevated glucose, in order to better understand the role it plays in the loss of beta cells leading to T1D, as well as in transplanted stem cell-derived beta cells.
Dr. Suheda Erener is a research associate in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Her study focuses on developing biomarkers that can predict the development of T1D. She is also investigating the role of non-coding RNAs in beta cell demise during T1D pathogenesis to unravel signaling pathways to stop beta cell destruction and/or enhance beta cell survival and function.
Dr. Kirsten Ward Hartstonge is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in human diseases such as T1D. She is investigating how Treg number and function may be used as a biomarker to predict if a patient is going to respond to a treatment or not.
Dr. Ya-Ching (Amanda) Huang, PhD, MSN, RN, a researcher focused on diabetes self-management and public health issues affecting underserved populations. She is studying the association between physical activities, sleep, and diabetes management; their psycho-social mechanisms; and programs that are culturally tailored to help enhance patients’ quality of life as well as caregiver effectiveness.
Dr. Megan Levings, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute in collaboration with Dr. Jan Dutz (BC) are investigating whether the administration of an antibody called ustekinumab (include blog link here when ready) among adults and children newly diagnosed with T1D can protect insulin-producing beta cells.
Dr. Despoina Manousaki is a postdoctoral fellow at McGill University and a researcher at the Jewish General Hospital (Lady Davis Institute) in Montreal. Her recently published study has shown that low levels of vitamin D are not associated with increased likelihood of T1D.
Dr. Kathy McCoy is a professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, a member of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, and director of the International Microbiome Center at the University of Calgary. She is interested in the dynamic interplay between the gut microbiota and the innate and adaptive immune systems at mucosal and systemic sites. Her research aims to understand how exposure to intestinal microbes, particularly during early life, educates and regulates the immune system and how this can affect susceptibility to diseases, including T1D.
Dr. Adriana Migliorini, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University Health Network, working as part of Dr. Nostro’s team researching islet transplantation and universal donor stem cell therapies.
Dr. Maria Cristina Nostro (ON) Senior Scientist at the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at University Health Network and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and her team have received funding to use new transplantation strategies and apply universal donor stem cells to develop a superior islet-like product for people with T1D that will require little or no immunosuppression.
Dr. Tricia Tang is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine. She is also a registered clinical psychologist and behavioral scientist with over 20 years experience in developing and evaluating low-cost and sustainable models to improve long-term diabetes-related health outcomes in high-risk and medically underserved patient populations. Recently, she was awarded a JDRF Telehealth in Type 1 Diabetes Behavioral Health and Psychology grant to work on the implementation of a virtual care platform to improve mental health for people living with the disease in British Columbia’s rural and remote regions. Click here to watch her recent FB Live on Mental Health and T1D.
“Mental health is the cornerstone of self-management for any chronic illness, especially diabetes. Although an overwhelming number of adults with diabetes report experiencing diabetes distress, less than half seek counselling. Health care providers are not formally trained about the psychosocial and behavioural aspects of diabetes, and therefore lack the skills to raise these concerns with patients. More problematic, there is a shortage of clinical psychologists with an expertise in diabetes in Canada. It is critical that we develop and implement training initiatives to meet the mental health needs of the diabetes community.” – Dr. Tricia Tang
Helping us navigate our research funding priorities, which are shaping T1D research both in Canada and globally, while communicating the latest updates to our donors, supporters and T1D community is our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Sarah Linklater.
“I am so proud to be part of this change-making organization working at the interface of global, cutting-edge research and the T1D community. Every day is rewarding, as I truly feel that we are making real and rapid progress towards improving lives and, ultimately curing T1D.” -Dr. Sarah Linklater
We also acknowledge the many other women working at JDRF, volunteering and fundraising. Together we #ChooseToChallenge T1D and work towards turning type 1 into type none.
For anyone impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D), the term ‘biosimilars’ is one that will become increasingly familiar now that the patents of some biologic insulins are expiring. This means that biosimilar versions of these insulins may be approved, and some are already on the North American market. But how do they differ from insulins already on the market? And are they right for managing your 1 diabetes (T1D)?
Read more to find out what this means for you.
What is a biologic drug?
To fully understand what a biosimilar is, we need to first explain what a biologic drug is. A biologic drug is a product that is produced from living organisms or that contains components of living organisms, so it is more complex than a chemically synthesized drug. An originator or reference biologic drug is the first version of a biologic drug approved for use by Health Canada.
Examples of biologic drugs include insulin, other hormones such as growth hormones or thyroid hormones, and antibody treatments. Biologic drugs are used to treat many different conditions including anemia (low iron), cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s or colitis), psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition) and rheumatoid arthritis.
Once the patent for a biologic drug has expired, a biosimilar version may be approved to be introduced into the market.
What are biosimilars?
A biosimilar biologic drug, more commonly referred to as a ‘biosimilar’, is a drug that may enter the market after the expiry of pre-existing drug patents.
A biosimilar is a drug that is highly similar to a biologic drug that was already authorized for sale. The biologic drug that was already authorized is called a reference biologic drug because it is the drug that the biosimilar compared against. This is similar to a generic over the counter pharmacy brand counterpart to the brand name drug.
However, a biological copy cannot be said to be identical to the reference biologic drug. Health Canada authorizes biosimilars for sale based on a thorough comparison to a reference biologic drug. There should be no clinically meaningful differences in efficacy and safety between a biosimilar and the reference biologic drug.
What are biosimilar insulins?
Biosimilar insulins (also called follow-on insulins) are designed to be highly similar to reference biologic drug product described in a patent.
Three biosimilar insulins currently on the market are:
Basaglar (biosimilar of Lantus [insulin glargine]) – Lilly
Admelog (biosimilar of Humalog [insulin lispro]) – Sanofi-Aventis
Truapi (biosimilar of NovoRapid [insulin aspart]) – Sanofi-Aventis
Biosimilar insulins as a treatment option
The entry of biosimilar insulins into the market presents both opportunities and risks that need to be properly weighed before a person with diabetes begins on or moves to a biosimilar insulin.
Biosimilar insulins can be a safe and effective treatment option for people with T1D. Their introduction to the market is also helping to reduce the cost of insulin in Canada and around the world, making insulin more affordable for patients and payers. Thus, biosimilar insulins will ultimately increase accessibility of insulin treatment and provide more treatment options to people living with diabetes.
However, some of these benefits of biosimilar insulins will be negated if reference biologic insulins are no longer available or accessible alongside biosimilar insulins – ie, if people using insulin are “forced” to switch from their existing insulin to a biosimilar insulin due to changes in availability or coverage.
JDRF supports and advocates first and foremost for choice in all aspects of diabetes management. The decision to start on biosimilar insulin, or to switch from a biologic to a biosimilar insulin – must be made by the person living with diabetes in consultation with their endocrinologist or diabetes team.
More information on biosimilar insulins can be found here.
Like most parents after their child has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Cindy Voss found herself overwhelmed, anxious and exhausted. With an active 10-year old whose glucose levels would drop quickly and unexpectedly, Cindy found herself constantly worrying and would get up every couple of hours throughout the night to prick her son Mathew’s finger to get a blood sugar reading. It is a story familiar to many parents in the T1D community.
After doing some research and consulting with Mathew’s doctor, they decided to try the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System – and their life hasn’t been the same since.
Now, Mathew wears a sensor on his abdomen that continuously measures his glucose levels, without him having to prick his finger* to get a reading. His glucose data is displayed on his phone†, and he can be alerted if his glucose levels are heading too high or too low so he can take action, especially since he doesn’t always feel his symptoms coming on.
Meanwhile, Mathew’s Mom Cindy has the Dexcom Follow app‡, which allows her to see Mathew’s glucose levels remotely – whether he is at school, out riding his bike, or over at a friend’s house. Cindy also gets glucose level alert notifications on her phone, which she says have been enormously valuable – particularly when she can’t be with Mathew, and especially overnight. It has allowed her to sleep better and to give her son more freedom to be a kid, which has been such a blessing for their whole family.
“Dexcom CGM has given Mathew so much more confidence now and allowed me to worry so much less. It has changed our whole family’s life and I can’t imagine trying to manage Mathew’s diabetes anymore without it.”
To see if the Dexcom G6 could be a valuable tool for you and/or your child’s diabetes management, ask your healthcare professional for a free sample.
Visit www.dexcom.com for more information about the Dexcom G6.
*If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom G6 do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
‡ Following requires the use of the Follow App and an Internet connection. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G6 App or Receiver before making treatment decisions.
A JDRF-funded clinical trial is examining whether a drug currently (ustekinumab; pronounced oos·teh·KIN·yoo·mab) used for the treatment of psoriasis (which affects the skin), Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease), and other autoimmune conditions can also work for type 1 diabetes.
Manufactured by Janssen and sold under the name Stelara®, it is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits two molecules that regulate the immune system.
Many autoimmune diseases have disease-modifying therapies; treatments that can slow, halt, and reverse disease progression. Currently, T1D remains one of the only major autoimmune diseases that does not have a licensed disease-modifying therapy.
Clinical trial overview
The researchers are investigating if the simultaneous inhibition of two immune cell pathways—interleukin-17 and interferon-gamma, believed to drive T1D can halt the progression of, or reverse, disease in participants who have been recently diagnosed with T1D.
The hope is that if the drug can block immune cells soon after the development of diabetes, any remaining insulin-producing cells may be protected and regenerate. This would ideally lead to the remaining beta cells producing enough insulin that people with T1D require less external insulin for a longer period of time, or at all.
As the drug is already approved for use in Canada, if the trial results are positive, moving forward to clinical use would not only be feasible, but rapid.
The phase II/III trial is taking place at BCDiabetes in Vancouver, under the leadership of Tom Elliott, MBBS, and the University of Toronto, under Bruce Perkins, M.D., MPH, both in Canada. There will be a total of 60 participants enrolled between the ages of 18-25 years old.
There is also a trial testing ustekinumab in teens aged 12-18, and within 100 days of diagnosis in various locations of the United Kingdom.
A JDRF grant to Megan Levings, Ph.D., at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, will harmonize the biomarkers of response in both the Canadian and UK clinical trials, increasing the sample size and more rapidly identifying whether this is an effective therapy for T1D.
A pilot study by Jan Dutz, M.D.—who is also the lead on the phase II/III study—demonstrated that ustekinumab is safe in the treatment of participants with recent-onset T1D.
You can contact Marla Inducil, B.Sc. Pharm, M.D., CCRP, at 604-628-7253 ext. 7011 or minducil@bcdiabetes.ca. She is responsible for managing and executing all clinical trials at BCDiabetes located in Vancouver.
