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Immunotherapy

Immunotherapies are new treatments that reprogramme the immune system so that it no longer attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. They're being tested in clinical trials and could give us a way to stop type 1 diabetes in its tracks or prevent the condition entirely.  

In our video we explain how immunotherapies work and how they could help people with or at risk of type 1 diabetes in the future.  

Immunotherapies would be a major shift in the way we treat type 1 diabetes – tackling its root cause for the first time and moving us closer to a cure. We're funding research to help us make these treatments a reality sooner. And our researchers won’t stop until immunotherapies are transforming lives.  

On 14 August 2025, the first-ever immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes was licensed for use in the UK. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) decided teplizumab, also known as Tzield, is safe and effective at delaying the development of type 1 diabetes for people in the early stages of the condition. Find out more in our news story.


 

Woman in the lab doing research

What are immunotherapies and how do they work?

Different immunotherapies work in different ways, but they all aim to keep the immune system in check and stop its attack on the pancreas. This could help people to keep on making more of their own insulin for longer.
Woman using microscope in the lab

Preventing or delaying type 1 diabetes

We can identify people in the early stages of type 1 diabetes, months or years before symptoms appear and treatment is needed. Scientists are testing if immunotherapies at this stage could hold off the immune attack to delay, or even prevent, a diagnosis.
Professor Colin Dayan speaking

Our immunotherapy impact

We’ve been at the heart of immunotherapy research for decades. We’ve built the knowledge and networks to develop and test immunotherapies, and find ones that work sooner.
Professor Colin Dayan

Hear from Professor Colin Dayan

If you or your child have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes you could be eligible to take part in an immunotherapy clinical trial. Our scientist Prof Colin Dayan explains everything you need to know about immunotherapy research.
A photo of Mahn sitting in a hospital ward between two of the research nurses, all wearing masks

Mahn's story

When Mahn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes his parents found out about an immunotherapy clinical trial, and were determined to give him the chance to try a promising new treatment.
Ruby Wain training

Ruby's story

Ruby was shocked and overwhelmed when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She was then offered the chance to take part in a study testing an immunotherapy.
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