JDRF commits to startup initiative for type 1 diabetes treatment

Diabetes charity group JDRF has teamed up with Boston-based technology development company PureTech in a bid to accelerate the production of new treatments for type 1 diabetes.
JDRF, the world’s largest non-profit supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, and PureTech will launch a novel initiative called T1D Innovations. Under the new joint venture, companies will be formed and funded to develop innovative T1D therapies, enabling them to translate key medical discoveries into groundbreaking anti-diabetic products.
In a press release, the New York-based charity said the main focus will be on funding the development of treatments that help restore or maintain blood glucose control or have the potential of restoring normal physiology for people diagnosed with or at risk of type 1 diabetes.
Jeffrey Brewer, JDRF President and CEO, said: “T1D Innovations is a unique opportunity to fund entrepreneurial activity at the translational stage of the Type 1 diabetes product pipeline, allowing us to drive the most commercially promising Type 1 diabetes research projects into the clinic while leveraging the co-investment of other partners.
“This new initiative complements JDRF’s current grant making and industry partnering activities, which are respectively focused on early stage exploratory research and later stage product development opportunities.
“Now, by supporting company formation around breakthrough type 1 diabetes research and working at each phase of the R&D pipeline, JDRF is better positioned to achieve our goal of delivering progressively advanced therapies to individuals living with or at risk of type 1 diabetes.”
David Steinberg, PureTech Partner, said: “JDRF is one of the most innovative and successful disease foundations in the world and we are thrilled to be working alongside them to tackle this critical disease in an exciting new way.”