Month: November 2023

On November 2^nd 2023, the JDRF Centre of Excellence at UBC held its second annual meeting to review research progress, celebrate advances, brainstorm challenges, map out next steps, and exchange knowledge about the lived experience of T1D – all with a view to accelerate the path towards a cure for T1D via the Centre’s research program.

Year 2 at the JDRF Centre of Excellence at UBC has seen progress across all areas of the T1D research program, as well as expansion of its training program and establishment of a T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group.

“It was wonderful to come together and celebrate another strong year of progress on all three JDRF Centre of Excellence theme areas,” said Jim Johnson, Professor, Cellular & Physiological Sciences and Surgery, University of British Columbia. “I am continually inspired by the dedication and brilliance of our students and fellows who continue to drive breakthroughs. We are all, in turn, inspired by our partners with lived experience and thank them for their participation.”

Below are a few highlights shared at the annual event:

Theme 1: Building better beta cells for islet replacement therapy, led by Dr. Francis Lynn

The team has developed new tools that enable testing specific genes for their impact on beta cell function and survival. Using these tests, they now aim to identify genes that make stem cell derived beta cells stronger and better insulin producing cells eligible for transplantation purposes. The team is also gaining new insight into the importance of including stem cell-derived alpha cells in islet replacement products along with stem cell-derived beta cells. In healthy islets, alpha cells release the hormone glucagon, which helps to product individuals from experiencing hypoglycemia.

Theme 2: Protecting insulin-producing beta cells from immune attack, led by Dr. Megan Levings

Over the last year the team has made substantial advances in developing new, immunomodulatory products for prevention and treatment of T1D. One candidate product is being explored for patent protection. The other, a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based approach being studied in partnership with UBC spin-off Integrated Nanotherapeutics, found that treatment of animals prone to T1D stopped the majority of animals from developing the disease. Next, the team will test this therapy in animals with pre-existing T1D for its potential to reverse disease. 

Theme 3: Targeting and monitoring beta cell stress, led by Dr. Jim Johnson

The team is expanding our understanding of EIF2A, a protein that protects beta cells from dying. Using an artificial intelligence-based approach, the team has mapped the interactions between EIF2A and other proteins to identify protein combinations that may further increase the protection of beta cells. The team also discovered that an enzyme called PC1/3 involved in processing insulin inside beta cells appears to be defective in people with T1D. This discovery increases our understanding of beta cell dysfunction in T1D and increases the chance that we can identify new indicators of beta cell health, which potentially can be used to monitor individual responses to T1D treatments.

Clinical trials

Dr. Meiying Zhuang, Transplant Endocrinology Fellow at UBC affiliated with the Centre’s clinical core presented the latest data and future plans for islet replacement trials taking place in Vancouver. As the Centre’s work progresses, the Clinical Core will help to facilitate translation of discovery research being carried out in Themes 1-3 to clinical testing. Dr. Zhuang’s perspectives on the translation of research from bench to bedside reinforced the importance of the Centre’s unique opportunity for collaboration and prompted interesting discussions amongst attendees.

Seed grants

The Centre also celebrated the success of the seed grant competition with updates from the first grantees and an announcement of Year 2’s funded projects. Seed grants provide funding for pilot studies aimed at developing novel ideas aligned with the Centre’s goals, and are designed to expand the scope of the Centre’s research program and bring new investigators into the collaborative research team

Dr. Hongshen Ma (Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UBC) used their 2022 seed grant funding to collaborate with Theme 1 in order to engineer a new system for measuring beta cell function and insulin production at the single-cell level. This new tool allows the teams to more accurately study and compare the function of stem cellderived beta cells to donor islets, providing insights to the Theme 1 team as they develop improved products for islet replacement therapy. The other 2022 seed grant awardee, Dr. Dan Luciani (Professor, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, UBC) is using their funding to explore the potential of a protein called TFEB  to protect from T1D in an animal model.

Dr. Jan Dutz and team were awarded a 2023 seed grant to test whether a modified version of methotrextate – a drug that has long been used for treatment of other immune diseases – may hold promise in T1D. The second 2023 seed grant was awarded to Dr. Marc Horwitz and team to investigate how the complex relationship between viruses and the gut microbiome can influence susceptibility to T1D, potentially shedding light on new avenues to T1D prevention or treatment.

Lived Experience Advisory Group

In 2023, the Centre established the T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group consisting of people with lived experiences of T1D from outside of the research teams. The Advisory Group will integrate the voices of people with lived experience of T1D into the Centre to ensure their interests and concerns are heard and translated into research aims and knowledge mobilization activities.

The Advisory Group and the Centre’s trainee committee co-organized a Knowledge Exchange Workshop during the annual meeting, which was a highlight from last year and equally impactful in year 2. Investigators and trainees from the Centre met with people with lived experience of T1D to share perspectives on what it means to live with T1D, what a cure would mean, and how researchers and the T1D community can better work together to accelerate research.

“Sharing my T1D experiences at the roundtable today was meaningful to me” said Doug Bourne, a member of the Centre’s T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group. “I sincerely pass along my gratitude to all those whose efforts, research and contributions help to make life better, easier and more manageable for people with diabetes. Without this work our lives would be much different.”

Developing the next generation of T1D researchers

The JDRF Centre of Excellence at UBC team includes several outstanding trainees, including undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. The collaborative nature of the Centre offers trainees an ideal environment to develop as researchers, communicators, and team members ready to become the next generation of experts.

A Trainee Committee was created in year 2 to organize events and develop workshops relevant to Centre trainees. During year 2, trainees participated in multiple workshops and many travelled to Michigan, USA, for an event involving all international JDRF Centre of Excellence trainees in May, 2023. During the second annual meeting in Vancouver, the trainee committee’s accomplishments were celebrated and capped off with a Graphical Abstract Competition. During this session, 10 trainees from Centre labs presented a 3-minute summary of their research to a lay audience with only a single slide for support, in a competition judged by people with lived experience of T1D, as well as researchers and JDRF staff in attendance.

During the annual meeting, the Centre also took the opportunity to celebrate and welcome the new J. Andrew McKee Postdoctoral Fellow, funded by JDRF and Canada’s Stem Cell Network: Dr. Sing-Young Chen. Learn more about Dr. Chen on our blog.

Looking ahead

As the Centre’s research program advances, the team is focused on continuing to expand multidisciplinary training opportunities for trainees, incorporating innovative new approaches and projects, and mapping out the path to clinical translation or commercialization for the different therapies and technologies being studied. In Year 3, the Centre’s clinical core will become more active, and engagement with the Type 1 Diabetes Lived Experience Advisory Group will guide evolution of the research program and external communications about the Centre’s progress.

“It was fantastic to share news of progress at this second annual meeting: discoveries made, milestones met, results published, trainees excelling, new collaborations forged,” said Sarah Linklater, Chief Scientific Officer at JDRF Canada. “But what is most exciting is the community that is growing around this initiative, and how this cutting-edge research is increasingly connecting with and being guided by the lived experience of T1D. This is the way forward.”

Future plans for the Centre are focused on the overall goal of bringing new cure therapies to the clinical testing stage. Read more about the Centre here or at UBC’s new dedicated webpage at jdrf.med.ubc.ca  

To learn more about supporting the Centre of Excellence, please visit: https://jdrf.ca/get-involved/accelerate/

A JDRF UK-supported trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the 2023 European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference demonstrated that hybrid closed loop technology helps pregnant individuals better manage their blood glucose compared to traditional insulin pumps or multiple daily injections.  

Authors say that hybrid closed-loop technology should be offered to all pregnant people with type 1 diabetes.

How does type 1 diabetes (T1D) affect pregnancy?

Despite technological advances in monitoring blood glucose and delivering insulin, altered eating behaviours and hormonal changes during pregnancy mean that most pregnant individuals with T1D struggle to reach the recommended blood glucose levels, which increases complications for both the baby and pregnant individual.

These complications can include premature birth, need for intensive care after birth, and being too large at birth, which increases the lifelong risk of overweight and obesity. Low blood glucose, excess weight gain, and high blood pressure during pregnancy are common amongst pregnant individuals with T1D.

What did the study look at?

In the study, researchers trialed a hybrid closed-loop system also known as the artificial pancreas. They compared this technology with traditional continuous glucose monitoring and insulin systems, where pregnant individuals supported by specialist diabetes maternity teams make multiple daily decisions about insulin doses.

The study involved 124 pregnant individuals with T1D aged 18-45 years who managed their condition with daily insulin therapy. They took part for approximately 24 weeks (from 10-12 weeks gestation until the end of pregnancy). The study took place in nine NHS hospitals in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

What did the study demonstrate?

Using the hybrid closed-loop technology helped to substantially reduce maternal blood glucosethroughout pregnancy.

Compared to traditional insulin therapy methods, the pregnant individuals who used the hybrid closed-loop technology spent more time in the target range for pregnancy blood glucose levels (68% vs 56% of time in range – equivalent to an additional 2.5-3 hours every day throughout pregnancy).

The technology was safely initiated during the first trimester, which is a crucially important time for fetal development. The blood glucose levels improved consistently in the hybrid closed-loop users, regardless of their previous blood glucose levels or previous method of insulin therapy.

These improvements were achieved without additional hypoglycemic episodes and without additional insulin. The participants using the technology also gained 3.5 kg less weight and were less likely to have blood pressure complications during pregnancy.

Importantly, the pregnant participants using the technology also had fewer prenatal clinic appointments, and fewer out-of-hours calls with maternity clinic teams, suggesting that this technology could also be time-saving for pregnant individuals and for stretched maternity services.

The authors of the study say that, as a result of these findings, this type of technology should now be offered to all pregnant individuals with T1D to help improve maternal blood glucose management.

What do the researchers say?

“For a long time, there has been limited progress in improving blood sugars for women with type 1 diabetes, so we’re really excited that our study offers a new option to help pregnant women manage their diabetes,” says lead author, Professor Helen Murphy of the University of East Anglia.

“Previous studies have confirmed that every extra hour spent in the blood sugar target range reduces the risks of premature birth, being too large at birth and need for admission to neonatal intensive care unit. This technology will allow more women to have safer, healthier, more enjoyable pregnancies, with potential for lifelong benefits for their babies.

What does this mean for Canadians with T1D?

There is currently no Canadian recommendation regarding the use of hybrid closed-loop systems during pregnancy. Since 2021, the Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines have recommended that “In pregnant people with type 1 diabetes, real-time CGM should be used to increase time-in-range and reduce the risk of overweight infants, neonatal hypoglycemia and intensive care admissions >24 hours.”

In Canada, there are currently two approved options for hybrid closed-loop systems (Medtronic Minimed 770 / 780G or Tandem t:slim X2 + Dexcom G6 with Control-IQ software). JDRF Canada regularly monitors Health Canada approvals for diabetes technology and will continue to review further studies on diabetes technology in pregnancy, and provide updates based on their results.

We are getting closer to the possibility of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) needing to administer basal insulin only once a week instead of every single day, with Novo Nordisk announcing the latest results of its ONWARDS 6 clinical trial.

What was the clinical trial studying?

ONWARDS clinical trials, which have been ongoing for the past few years, have been separated into six trials. The first five trials were in people with type 2 diabetes – comparing the once-weekly insulin (called icodec) with a daily insulin, either insulin glargine (a long-acting modified form of medical insulin) or degludec (an ultralong-acting basal insulin analogue).

The latest trial, ONWARDS 6, compared the once-weekly insulin icodec to daily insulin degludec in people with T1D.

The results of ONWARDS 6 were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference, and simultaneously published in The Lancet. ONWARDS 6 was a large-scale study of 582 adults with T1D comparing the basal insulins (weekly icodec vs daily degludec) in combination with fast-acting insulin aspart.

The study was primarily looking to determine if there was a difference in HbA1c (a blood glucose measurement), as well as time-in-range, diabetes treatment satisfaction, and number of severe hypoglycemic episodes.

The researchers found no difference in HbA1c or time-in-rangebetween the people who took icodec vs those who took degludec. The weekly icodec group did have more episodes of hypoglycemia compared to the daily degludec group, however, the numbers of these episodes were quite low overall (20 and 10 events per patient year for the icodec and degludec groups, respectively).

Moreover, both groups had improved scores on the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire, somewhat favouring the degludec group.  While we may have expected treatment satisfaction to be higher in the weekly icodec group, the increased scores are likely attributable to receiving additional treatment and medical attention as part of the trial, as well as the fact that both groups improved their HbA1c scores by an average of 0.5%.

What do the trial results mean for people with T1D?

While weekly insulin icodec was as effective as daily insulin degludec at reducing HbA1c in people with T1D, it did lead to a higher rate of hypoglycemic episodes – although the overall rate of hypoglycemia was very low for both groups.

These results provide important information about the safety and effectiveness of weekly insulin and will inform the next round of icodec clinical trials. JDRF Canada will continue to monitor the progress and provide updates when available.

Susan’s journey began when her daughter, Amy, was diagnosed with T1D at a young age. Determined to make a difference, Susan, alongside four other families, embarked on a remarkable journey. They established the very first JDRF Chapter in Canada, located in Montreal, and commenced their tireless efforts to transform the landscape of T1D research.

Working from her family’s basement, Susan poured her heart and soul into the mission of raising awareness and helping to ensure essential funding for T1D research.

“Susan was a devoted mother and friend, who invested an immeasurable amount of time and energy into ensuring that T1D research received the support it desperately needed,” remarked Jimmy Garfinkle, a close friend, a co-founding family member, and an unwavering supporter of JDRF Canada. Susan’s tenacity and vision continue to be a source of inspiration for all who knew her. Her contributions to the cause have been invaluable.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Susan for her instrumental role in founding JDRF in Canada and contributing to a lasting research and advocacy legacy. Her dedication has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Canadians affected by T1D.

As we remember Susan, let us celebrate the indelible mark she leaves on the fight against Type 1 Diabetes. /  Her tireless efforts have brought us closer to a world without T1D

Link to Obituary – Susan Gold-Reich – Funeral Information, Obituary, Condolences – Papermans & Sons, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Contributions in Susan’s memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). 

Ross Chocolates, a longtime corporate partner of JDRF Canada is generously providing a matching gift in honour of National Diabetes Awareness Month. All donations made throughout November will be matched by Ross Chocolates, up to a maximum of $20,000. 

JDRF Canada sent their CEO Stefano Urbani some questions regarding the inspiration behind their support of the diabetes community and commitment to diabetes research. 

JDRF Canada: Tell us a little bit about the history of Ross Chocolates. 

 In 1995, Bob Ross, the founder of Ross Chocolates and a devoted chocolate enthusiast, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Despite the dietary restrictions imposed by his condition, Bob was determined to continue to enjoy eating chocolate.  

At that time, the availability of no sugar added chocolate (sugar-free) was scarce, so many people with diabetes ate chocolate made with carob rather than cocoa. Carob chocolate lacks the smoothness, depth, and unique flavour of cocoa chocolate. Bob decided to create his own cocoa chocolate sweetened without sugar to feed his need for that real chocolate taste and embarked on a mission to craft high-quality chocolate without any added sugars.  

Starting in his kitchen, Bob meticulously experimented with combinations of cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and diabetes-safe sweeteners to create high-quality, tasty, diabetes-friendly milk and dark chocolate. By 1998, Ross Chocolates was offering consumers their No Sugar Added Chocolate bars, catering to people with diabetes and those seeking to eliminate sugar from their diet. 

The popularity of Ross Chocolates surged, with millions of bars sold across North America, Europe, and other continents.  

Today, Ross Chocolates remains committed to crafting the exceptional chocolate that Bob Ross pioneered. Staying true to their founder’s vision, Ross Chocolates continues to innovate and develop new No Sugar Added chocolate treats for those looking to eliminate or reduce their sugar consumption. In 2022, a research study at the University of British Columbia determined that Ross No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate has no noticeable effect on blood sugar levels in those with any type of diabetes (https://rosschocolates.ca/ubc-study-results/) 

JDRF Canada: What drove Ross Chocolates to make sugar-free chocolate safe for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes? 

Bob Ross’ story remains a driving force behind Ross Chocolates’ desire to provide people with diabetes safe alternatives to regular chocolate or sugar-free chocolate sweetened with alternatives that continue to minimally affect blood sugar levels. Our goal is focussed on creating the most delicious chocolate available that does not affect blood sugar levels at all (with our dark chocolate flavours) or as minimally as possible (with our milk chocolate flavours). 

With heightened consumer awareness about diabetes and carbohydrate intakes, there is a growing market demand for high-quality, sugar-free (no sugar added) chocolate treats. Health and wellness trends are also leading many to Ross Chocolates as they seek alternatives to high-sugar options.  

Ross stays at the forefront of both adhering to regulatory guidelines and utilizing technological advancements in alternative sweeteners as we create new products. Creating sugar-free chocolates using the latest research and availability of alternative sweeteners safe for people with diabetes to consume without requiring extra insulin is constantly occurring at Ross Chocolates. Ultimately, the food industry plays a pivotal role in promoting the well-being of individuals managing diabetes through the creation of safe and enjoyable sugar-free options. 

JDRF Canada: What does your support of JDRF Canada mean to you as a company? 

 Ross Chocolates is committed to supporting diabetes research by donating a portion of every sale to organizations like JDRF Canada. Our goal is to make a positive societal impact by helping to fund T1D research, which ultimately improves the lives of those living with T1D and ideally will lead to a world that is free from type 1 diabetes. 

Aligning with a reputable organization like JDRF enhances the Ross Chocolates brand image, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility. Additionally, supporting JDRF provides opportunities for employees to engage in meaningful volunteer work, fostering a sense of community within the company. This, in turn, boosts employee morale and satisfaction.  

Supporting JDRF leads to valuable networking opportunities and collaborations with researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups focused on diabetes. Ultimately, supporting JDRF is a meaningful way for us to contribute to a vital cause, positively impact the lives of individuals with T1D, and demonstrate our reputation as a socially responsible and community-oriented organization. 

JDRF Canada: Is there anything else you would like to share with the type 1 diabetes community. 

Over the years, Ross Chocolates has been able to help support diabetes research, with a portion of every sale going to diabetes research organizations. We are proud of our support of JDRF and the work that they do to help those living with T1D. We know life with T1D is not easy, and we hope to help by offering chocolate treats you can easily enjoy daily without worries of blood glucose levels rising, while supporting JDRF in its mission of finding cures for type 1 diabetes. 

To learn more about Ross Chocolates visit www.rosschocolates.ca/about-us/

When we come together as a collective, we can accomplish great things.

A dedicated group of lawyers and law firms from across Canada rallied together this year to support JDRF’s Legal Sector Challenge, raising funds to help accelerate the pace of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Thanks to their bold commitment to the T1D community, JDRF will be able to allocate more dollars to research into cures and treatments to improve lives. We are beyond grateful to the philanthropic leaders who rose to the challenge of providing gifts.

Thank you to our generous donors who participated:

• Andrew and Lisa Wiseman 
• Anonymous donation
• Brian Johnston
• Christine Pound
• Daniela Bassan
• Dorsey & Whitney Foundation
• Fasken
• Fred Rubinoff
• Goldman, Spring, Kichler & Sanders LLP
• Grant Machum
• Jeffrey and Shawna Citron
• Jen Feron and Jim Murphy
• John Currie
• Larry Freeman
• Leonard Baranek
• Level Chan
• Matthew Newell
• Maurice Chiasson
• Norton Rose Fulbright Canada
• Sheldon Freeman
• Susan Hayes
• Todd Schindeler
• William McCullough

Thank you to the legal sector volunteer leaders who championed the challenge:

• Fred Rubinoff, Goodmans LLP
• Rebecca Saturley, Stewart McKelvey
• Dan Miller, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Where the Challenge Began

In 2023, JDRF Canada volunteers Fred Rubinoff, Rebecca Saturley, and Dan Miller – all lawyers who have a personal connection to T1D – started the Legal Challenge to mobilize their industry, inspired by similar challenges in the commercial real estate and wealth management sectors. With personal connections to T1D, they are devoted to creating a world without this chronic disease, not only for their loved ones but all Canadians impacted by T1D.

Fred Rubinoff is passionate about changing the landscape of this debilitating disease for everyone living with T1D worldwide. Ever since his late wife Tracey, who lived with T1D for many years, sadly passed away in 2004 from diabetes-related complications, Fred has been driven to help accelerate life-saving treatments and potential cures for T1D.

“Tracey did not have access to the comprehensive diabetes care she needed throughout her adolescence – I don’t want any other family to have to endure that or such a loss. People with T1D need adequate support to help them cope with this life-long condition and hope that a cure is on the horizon. I want to press forward and unite to fund initiatives that help ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else and see an end to this disease for good.”

– Fred Rubinoff

Where the Dollars Go

All donations to the Legal Challenge will bolster JDRF’s Accelerator Fund, which allows JDRF to be nimble in our efforts to fund cure-based research while also improving lives today. The fund makes an immediate impact by supporting all areas of JDRF, including the greatest needs within the $100M Campaign to Accelerate.

Here are a few examples of what the Accelerator Fund supports:

• Promising cure-based T1D research in Canada and across the globe
• Training for mental health providers on how to best support clients living with T1D
• Operational costs such as research and financial oversight, and revenue generation
• Advocacy for better access and affordability to life-saving devices through Access for All

Advocacy is an area that hits home for Rebecca Saturley and her son, Oliver, diagnosed with T1D at age 9, who live in a province where advanced glucose monitors are not covered by provincial health plans, and people must pay out of pocket for these life-saving devices. Everyone deserves affordable access to technologies to help ease the burden of life with T1D.

Fred, Rebecca, and Dan hope the success of the Legal Sector Challenge will spark interest and inspire others to support the Accelerator Fund and help transform lives across Canada. Donor support helps make JDRF’s work possible – these investments continue the momentum in critical T1D cure research, advocacy, and innovative projects to improve the lives of people with T1D today and tomorrow. With research moving faster than ever, now is the time to champion a future without T1D.

Are you interested in learning more or starting a sector challenge of your own?

To find out how you can further engage with JDRF or give to the Accelerator Fund, contact Tammy Bucci, Director of Leadership Giving, at tbucci@jdrf.ca.

One of Canada’s longest running and top fundraising events held Rides in Montréal, Toronto and Calgary, on October 5, 12 and 19, 2023 respectively, along with community ‘Ride Your Way’ rides taking place across the country this past month. For 38 years the Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF has been bringing together corporate executives and teams to move work aside and move for a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

T1D is an autoimmune condition impacting nearly 300,000 Canadians. The incidence of T1D in Canada is rising by 4.4% each year, higher than the global average of 3% – and we don’t know why. Funds raised from the Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF will accelerate the pace of the most promising research into cures and support programs that improve the lives of those living with the disease today.

More than 1175 teams and over 6200 fundraisers from more than 85 Canadian companies coast to coast participated in this high-energy event. Our Riders have secured almost 16,000 donations and have raised over $1.9 million and counting. We could not be more grateful for everyone’s efforts!

Together, corporate Canada made a difference for the close to 300,000 Canadians and the countless more who are affected by type 1 diabetes.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsor and volunteers, without whom this event would not be a success. Thanks to their support, we were also able to offer an incredible day of high energy spin workouts, highlight inspirational stories through both video and speakers, and ultimately get us closer to our goal for cures for type 1 diabetes.

Thank you also to our JDRF ambassadors Paloma Davarsi (Montréal), Karoline Cope (Toronto) and Luke McDonald and Chris Holmstead (Calgary) who took time out of their day to share with our riders the importance of funding T1D research, and what life is like with T1D.

Thank you again to everyone who participated and to our incredible corporate partners. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.

Local Partner	Real Estate Hour Sponsor	Real Estate Hour Sponsor