HAS A BREAKTHROUGH IN DIABETES MANAGEMENT JUST BEEN FOUND?.

What’s New:

On 14 August 2025, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved teplizumab (Tzield; Sanofi). Marking a historic milestone as the first immunotherapy sanctioned for delaying the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Putting the Brakes on T1D: 

Administered via a 14-day course of daily intravenous infusions, teplizumab is indicated for patients aged 8 and over with Stage 2 T1D (a stage where the immune system is actively attacking the pancreas, but symptoms have yet to manifest). This phase has sometimes been termed as the ‘honeymoon period’ for newly diagnosed T1D patients as their β-cells still produce some of its own insulin, however, the need for exogenous (external) insulin remains. 

It has been theorised for years that extending this ‘honeymoon period’ could be the key to delaying the progression of T1D and can even help to reverse it and put it back into remission. Teplizumab works by slowing the immune system’s attack on insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Teplizumab helps protect these cells and delays the need for insulin treatment. Clinical data shows that teplizumab can delay progression to Stage 3 T1D by an average of 25 months.

Not Without a Price: 

Although the upfront cost of this treatment is expected to be high, the overall financial burden of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) on the NHS is substantial. By enabling patients to adopt this treatment, it could reduce spending on insulin and other current therapies, which together account for approximately 10% of the NHS budget (£1.8 billion).1 

Next Steps for Access:

While the MHRA approval clears a major regulatory hurdle, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) must now evaluate cost-effectiveness and decide NHS adoption [Expected publication date: 26th November 2025]. Additionally, organisations advocate for widespread early-stage screening to ensure at-risk individuals are identified in time.  

Bottom Line:

This landmark approval of teplizumab brings us closer to a future where T1D isn’t just managed but proactively delayed. With regulatory momentum and charity advocacy aligned, moving swiftly through NICE evaluation and NHS rollout could redefine early-stage T1D care in the UK. 

My diagnosis experience was relatively uneventful; however, I know of many T1D Sufferers who aren’t so lucky. This life-altering event can be a significant burden on people’s mental health as it can feel like their freedoms are being restricted. Extending the honeymoon period should allow a much more gradual introduction to diabetes management and make it an easier adjustment.  

Key takeaways: 

• Approved on 14 Aug 2025 as the first immunotherapy to delay Type 1 diabetes.

• A 14-day IV infusion course that protects beta cells and delays insulin dependence by ~3 years.

• For patients aged 8+ in the early, symptom-free stage of T1D.

• NICE must review cost-effectiveness; early screening will be key to identifying candidates.

• Teplizumab shifts T1D care from managing to delaying, a potential game-changer in early diabetes treatment.

Reference:  

1. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/03/nhs-prevention-programme-cuts-chances-of-type-2-diabetes-for-thousands/#:~:text=Evidence%20has%20shown%20that%20the,to%20prevent%20type%202%20diabetes.
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-approves-teplizumab-to-delay-progression-of-type-1-diabetes