17/10/2025
A New Era for Type 1 Diabetes: Why Knowing Your Risk Matters More Than Ever
If you have a loved one with Type 1 Diabetes — or you’ve ever wondered if it could affect your family — there’s some genuinely hopeful news.
For the first time, there is a therapy that can delay the onset of Type 1 Diabetes. And that changes everything about how we think about this condition.
Here’s what you need to know — and why finding out your risk early can make a real difference.
What’s Been Approved?
In August, the first-ever treatment designed to delay the development of Type 1 Diabetes was approved for use.
It’s called teplizumab, and it works by calming the immune system — the part that mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
In clinical trials, teplizumab delayed the onset of Type 1 Diabetes by an average of nearly three years in people who were at high risk. For some, that’s three extra years without needing insulin.
But here’s the catch:
To benefit from teplizumab (or any early intervention), you need to know you’re at risk before diabetes develops.
That’s Where Our Risk Test Comes In
We’ve partnered with the University of Exeter, one of the world’s leading research centres for Type 1 Diabetes, to develop a simple, science-backed blood test that helps identify people at risk before symptoms appear.
We screen for 10 genetic variants associated with the condition to generate a unique genetic risk score that helps identify whether someone has a higher likelihood of developing Type 1 Diabetes. Think of it as your personal risk insight – showing whether your genes make you more likely to develop the condition.
Early identification of risk allows you to access
- Autoantibody screening to efficiently identify type 1 diabetes early enough for treatment to be effective
- Research or prevention studies
- And now, discuss therapies like teplizumab that may delay onset
In short, early testing gives you options — and time.
Who Should Consider Getting Tested?
Our Type 1 Diabetes Risk Test is designed for:
- Family members of someone with Type 1 Diabetes (especially siblings, children, or parents)
- Anyone interested in proactive, preventive healthcare
Even if you’re healthy today, knowing your risk helps you and your doctor plan for the future.
Why Early Detection Is So Important
Type 1 Diabetes often seems to appear “out of the blue” — but behind the scenes, the process begins long before symptoms do.
Catching it early means:
- Better long-term outcomes
- And now, access to treatment that can delay the disease
A Turning Point for Families
For decades, Type 1 Diabetes research has focused on treatment after diagnosis. Now, we’re shifting towards prevention and delay — and that starts with knowing your risk.
The Bottom Line
Teplizumab’s approval is a major milestone — but it’s only the beginning.
To benefit, we need to identify those at risk early.
Find out your Type 1 Diabetes risk today.
Because knowing your risk is the first step towards delaying — and one day, preventing — Type 1 Diabetes.