National Institutes of Health funds International Diabetes Center and Schneider Children’s Medical Center artificial pancreas research
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The International Diabetes Center and the Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel, today announced that they have received a $6.94 million grant to study the next generation of artificial pancreas systems in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes. The study is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), which is part of the National Institutes of Health.
IDC Executive Director Dr. Richard Bergenstal and Dr. Moshe Phillip of Schneider Children’s Medical Center will compare the FDA-approved hybrid artificial pancreas to a next-generation system programmed to further improve glucose control, particularly around mealtime. One-hundred youth (ages 14-30) will test each system for three months at sites in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts and Minnesota and abroad in Germany, Israel and Slovenia.
“We are hopeful that this next generation of artificial pancreas technology will not only further improve blood glucose levels in a safe manner but actually let these teens and young adults focus on living their lives to the fullest,” said Bergenstal.
The artificial pancreas is an integrated system that monitors blood glucose levels continually and signals an insulin pump to deliver the amount of insulin needed to help keep glucose levels in a safe range, not too high or too low. A successful artificial pancreas would be a life-changing advance for many people with type 1 diabetes.
“These studies aim to collect the data necessary to bring artificial pancreas technology to the people who need it,” said Dr. Guillermo Arreaza-Rubin, director of NIDDK’s Diabetes Technology Program. “Results from these studies could change and save lives.”
The study, which will being later this year, is one of four unique research projects announced Tuesday by NIH. The studies are designed to move automated insulin delivery systems toward regulatory approval for clinical use. More information about the trial (NIH grant DK108611) is available here: NCT03040414.
About HealthPartners Institute
HealthPartners Institute is part of HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. One of the largest medical research and education centers in the Midwest, the Institute has about 450 studies underway each year, trains more than 500 medical residents and fellows and more than 500 students, and provides continuing medical education for 25,000 clinicians as well as patient education and clinical quality improvement. For more information, visit healthpartnersinstitute.org. International Diabetes Center is part of HealthPartners Institute.
About Schneider Children’s Medical Center, Israel
Schneider Children’s Medical Center is the only pediatric hospital for children in Israel. The hospital has international accreditation for medical excellence and quality. For more information, visit http://www.schneider.org.il/eng. DreaMed Diabetes developed the program for the new artificial pancreas system being tested. (www.dreamed-diabetes.com.)