Groundbreaking treatment; new diabetes drug in UK delays type 1 for years, may prevent it entirely

Patients in Britain have started receiving a revolutionary new treatment for diabetes that could delay the disease’s symptoms by years — or potentially prevent it entirely.

The therapy, known as teplizumab, is being hailed as a major breakthrough, shifting the focus from managing diabetes to intercepting it before symptoms even begin.

According to Science Alert, teplizumab represents a turning point in how type 1 diabetes is understood and treated. Unlike traditional therapies that rely on daily insulin injections, this drug targets the root cause — an autoimmune response that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Teplizumab is only effective when used before symptoms of type 1 diabetes appear, making early diagnosis crucial. Scientists are now developing screening tools to identify at-risk individuals in time to benefit from the treatment.

The first adult to receive teplizumab in Britain is Hannah Robinson, whose early-stage diabetes was discovered by chance during a pregnancy scan at Royal Devon Hospital, part of the National Health Service (NHS).

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, affects around 10% of all diabetics. The remaining 90% have type 2 diabetes, often related to lifestyle factors. Research shows that although type 1 is typically considered a childhood condition, over half of new cases occur in adults.

In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells. Teplizumab re-educates the immune system, helping to prevent this attack. Clinical studies have shown it can delay the need for insulin by two to three years, with generally mild side effects.

Already approved in the U.S., teplizumab is currently under review for wider NHS use in Britain.
Doctors caution that once symptoms like fatigue, thirst, or weight loss appear, more than 75% of insulin-producing cells are already destroyed, making the drug ineffective. For now, teplizumab offers hope only to those diagnosed early — before symptoms arise.