Drug that delays onset of type 1 diabetes approved in England and Wales

‘For the first time in 100 years, we are moving beyond insulin,’ the Diabetes UK charity said. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA View image in fullscreen ‘For the first time in 100 years, we are moving beyond insulin,’ the Diabetes UK charity said. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA Drug that delays onset of type 1 diabetes approved in England and Wales Availability of teplizumab on the NHS – which postpones early stages of disease for up to three years – described as an ‘incredible moment’ The world’s first drug to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes is to be made available on the NHS in England and Wales, in the biggest breakthrough in tackling the disease for more than a century. Millions of people have type 1 diabetes worldwide, which typically emerges during childhood or adolescence, and occurs when the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow glucose to enter cells to produce energy. The immunotherapy, teplizumab, does not cure type 1 diabetes, but postpones its onset for as long as three years, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which gave the drug the green light on Tuesday. Its arrival marks a huge step forward. The therapy gives those deemed at high risk of symptomatic type 1 (stage 3) diabetes the chance to delay its onset for the first time in the history of the disease. By delaying the onset, people will benefit from years of extra time before facing the heavy demands of lifelong diabetes management. Children and teenagers in particular will have more time to reach key developmental milestones before that point. Nice approved the drug for use in adults and children aged eight and above with early, pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes (stage 2), enabling them to live more normal lives for longer. The only other treatment for the disease – insulin – was discovered 105 years ago and does not alter the course of the disease. It simply replaces what patients are missing. “Today’s landmark approval of teplizumab marks the start of a new age of type 1 diabetes treatment,” said Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK. “For the first time in 100 years, we are moving beyond insulin, with a medicine that targets the root cause of the condition. “This is an extraordinary moment for celebration in the type 1 diabetes community, and represents a shift towards a future where type 1 diabetes can be prevented altogether.” Teplizumab, also known as tzield and made by Sanofi, will offer those in the early stages of type 1 diabetes years “free from the relentless demands” of managing the condition with insulin, as well as valuable time to prepare, Robertson said. “Detecting type 1 diabetes early, before symptoms appear, is key to unlocking these benefits and our focus now is ensuring fair and equitable access for everyone who is eligible.” Teplizumab trains the immune system to stop attacking pancreatic cells. It is given through a drip into a vein once a day – whic