The NHS in England and Wales will make available teplizumab, the first drug shown to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes. The immunotherapy treatment can postpone symptoms and the need for lifelong insulin therapy by around three years.
Health experts and patient groups have hailed the decision as a major breakthrough, with hundreds of children and young people expected to benefit annually. The drug is approved for individuals aged eight years and older who are at risk of developing the condition.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, requiring patients to monitor blood sugar levels and take insulin for life. The new treatment marks a significant advance in efforts to delay the progression of the disease.
