New Teplizumab Therapy Delays Onset of Type 1 Diabetes

Teplizumab delays Type 1 Diabetes onset by up to 3 years in at-risk individuals
Teplizumab delays Type 1 Diabetes onset by up to 3 years in at-risk individuals / Aljazeera.nert



UK researchers have started using a promising immunotherapy drug called Teplizumab, which has shown an impressive ability to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by several years.

 How Teplizumab Works

Teplizumab is a humanized anti‑CD3 monoclonal antibody that reprograms the immune system. By binding to CD3 on T cells, it induces T‑cell anergy/apoptosis of autoreactive lymphocytes and enhances regulatory T‑cells, calming the autoimmune attack on pancreatic β cells .

Clinical Trial Results

  • A 14‑day course in high‑risk individuals delayed progression from Stage 2 (autoantibody‑positive, dysglycemia) to Stage 3 (clinical T1D) by a median of ~32–35 months.
  • After ~6 years, 50 % of treated participants remained diabetes‑free vs 22 % in placebo group; median delay was ~59.6 vs ~27.1 months.
  • TrialNet follow‑up shows ~5‑year median delay vs ~2.3 years for placebo, with preserved insulin production.
  • In newly diagnosed Stage 3 T1D, the PROTECT study confirmed β‑cell preservation and reduced insulin needs over 78 weeks.

Approval and Availability

The FDA approved Teplizumab (brand name Tzield) in November 2022 for individuals ≥8 years old with Stage 2 T1D. Health Canada followed with approval on May 5, 2025. UK and other global approvals are anticipated soon.

Treatment involves intravenous infusions over two weeks, typically administered once, and may be repeated to prolong the benefit.

Ideal Timing & Screening

The drug is most effective when used at an early, asymptomatic stage. Simple blood tests can detect T1D autoantibodies (e.g. GAD65, IA‑2, ZnT8), identifying at-risk individuals before symptoms develop.

Side Effects & Safety

Teplizumab is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects — mild lymphopenia, rash, headache, and transient cytokine release symptoms — resolve without intervention. No new safety signals were observed in extended trials.

Why This Is a Breakthrough

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where T cells destroy insulin-producing β cells. Teplizumab is the first disease-modifying therapy that can delay the clinical onset in high‑risk individuals — an opportunity to preserve β-cell function and reduce lifelong complications.

What This Means for Patients

  • Extended period without clinical diabetes—potentially years.
  • Reduced emotional and health burden of early insulin therapy.
  • More time to prepare and educate at-risk individuals/families.

Sources & References

  1. TrialNet Blog: Teplizumab delays type 1 diabetes by a median of two years (July 5, 2025) 
  2. TrialNet Blog: Extended follow‑up shows ~5‑year median delay (July 6, 2025) 
  3. FDA Update: FDA approves first drug that can delay onset of type 1 diabetes (Jan 1, 2023) 
  4. Diabetes Journals: Teplizumab delays progression to stage 3 T1D 
  5. TrialNet: Teplizumab Prevention Study overview and results 
  6. TrialNet: Research led to FDA approval of first drug delaying T1D 
  7. ACCP: Tzield (Teplizumab) study results and safety data 
  8. FDA Drug Trials Snapshot: TZIELD (teplizumab‑mzwv) 
  9. Wikipedia: Teplizumab / Tzield drug profile 
  10. Axios: FDA approves first drug to delay type 1 diabetes 

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