Tays starts trials of oral baricitinib to delay Type 1 diabetes in 1–36-year-olds

Tays is launching two clinical trials at its PeeTU paediatric research centre to test the oral drug baricitinib for Type 1 diabetes, Tamperelainen reports. The studies, open to 1–36-year-olds, will investigate whether the pill can delay disease onset in people with prediabetes and whether it can preserve insulin production in those recently diagnosed.

Baricitinib is already used to treat other autoimmune conditions and is taken orally rather than by injection. Salla Kuusela, a paediatric specialist, said maintaining a patient’s own insulin production for as long as possible would improve glycaemic control and slow disease progression.

Chief physician Sauli Palmu at PeeTU said the drug suppresses inflammatory reactions, which is why researchers think it could reduce pancreatic inflammation linked to Type 1 diabetes. Trials will take place at Tays clinics. Newly diagnosed patients may join if fewer than 100 days have passed since diagnosis.

Pirkanmaa wellbeing area says diabetes care has advanced, but insulin remains the only routine medicine, so the trials could offer new options for prevention and management.

The trials add to a series of clinical studies run in Tampere, following the FinDementia shingles vaccine trial and a fusion-protein drug advancing toward clinical trials.