New Treatment Delays Type 1 Diabetes Onset by Around Three Years

Teplizumab, an immunotherapy recently approved in the UK, offers a way to delay the progression of type 1 diabetes in people with early-stage disease. Here's what the evidence shows.

News report, corroborated with 5 indexed studies

Evidence label explains the kind of source behind this article (for example peer-reviewed literature vs community video). It is not medical advice.

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Key takeaways

Teplizumab (Tzield) is the first approved immunotherapy in the UK designed to delay type 1 diabetes onset, not cure it.
In clinical trials, teplizumab delayed progression to Stage 3 (when symptoms appear and insulin is typically needed) by an average of three years in adults and children aged 8 and older.
The treatment works by helping preserve the function of beta cells—the insulin-producing cells damaged in type 1 diabetes.
Teplizumab is given to people with Stage 2 type 1 diabetes, an earlier stage where autoimmunity is present but symptoms have not yet developed.
Side effects and full safety information are available in official patient information materials from regulatory authorities.

What Is Teplizumab and How Does It Work?

Teplizumab (Tzield) is a monoclonal antibody—a type of immunotherapy designed to modify the immune response in type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Teplizumab works by targeting T cells involved in this autoimmune attack, helping to preserve beta-cell function and slow disease progression.

The medication is administered intravenously in two 12-day treatment courses. It represents a new category of treatment for type 1 diabetes—one that aims to intervene early, before symptoms develop.

Understanding the Disease Stages

Type 1 diabetes develops in stages. Stage 1 involves the presence of autoantibodies (immune markers) without any blood sugar problems. Stage 2 includes autoantibodies and early blood sugar abnormalities, but patients have no symptoms. Stage 3 is when overt high blood sugar and symptoms develop, and most people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and require insulin treatment.

Teplizumab is used in Stage 2—the critical window before symptoms appear—to delay progression to Stage 3.

What the Clinical Evidence Shows

In clinical trials, teplizumab delayed the onset of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes by an average of three years in children and adolescents (aged 8 and older) and adults with Stage 2 disease. This three-year delay gives people more time living without insulin dependence and its associated management demands.

When measured at 78 weeks after treatment, patients who received teplizumab had significantly higher levels of C-peptide—a marker of beta-cell function—compared to those receiving placebo. About 95 percent of teplizumab-treated patients maintained meaningful beta-cell function, compared to 79 percent of those who received placebo. However, the groups did not differ significantly on some other measures, including insulin requirements and blood glucose control.

UK Approval and Next Steps

In October 2025, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved teplizumab through an International Recognition Procedure, allowing the agency to draw on expertise from trusted regulatory partners. The approval means eligible patients in the UK now have access to the first approved immunotherapy specifically designed to delay type 1 diabetes onset.

If you or a family member has Stage 2 type 1 diabetes, discuss screening options and eligibility with your healthcare team. Full information on side effects and safety can be found in official patient information leaflets and product characteristics documents available from the MHRA.

Evidence label

Origin: drwf.org.uk (News report). Evidence: News report, corroborated with 5 indexed studies. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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