New research highlighted by Breakthrough T1D points to finerenone, experimental eye drops and more flexible care as scientists seek to reduce complications and the daily mental burden of type 1 diabetes.
For people living with type 1 diabetes, the daily task of keeping glucose in range is only part of the challenge. Breakthrough T1D Canada says care also has to address the long-term risks that can shadow the condition, including kidney disease, eye disease, heart complications and diabetic ketoacidosis, while also making treatment less mentally exhausting. The charity’s latest research update says the aim is not simply tighter numbers on a glucose monitor, but better safety, more flexible treatment and a better quality of life. It also points to the growing role of automated insulin delivery, which can ease some of the burden but does not solve every problem on its own.
One of the most significant developments discussed at the 2026 Breakthrough T1D Clinical & Research Congress was the approval of Kerendia, also known as finerenone, for adults with chronic kidney disease associated with type 1 diabetes. Bayer said in September 2026 that the US Food and Drug Administration cleared the drug for this group, calling it the first new treatment in more than 30 years for people with type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The decision was backed by the Phase III FINE-ONE trial and drew on earlier studies in type 2 diabetes, although Breakthrough T1D Canada stressed that regulatory approval in the United States does not by itself establish use in Canada. The congress also examined whether add-on medicines such as metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP therapies could help with needs that remain despite modern insulin delivery, including exercise, weight control and cardiovascular risk. But speakers underlined that these approaches need stronger evidence in type 1 diabetes, and that SGLT-2 drugs in particular require caution because of the danger of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Research into complications is also moving beyond pills and injections. At the congress, Subrata Chakrabarti of the University of Western Ontario presented work on an eye-drop treatment for diabetic retinopathy, a vision-threatening complication of diabetes that is usually managed with injections. According to the update, preclinical results suggest the therapy could be easier to use and potentially more effective than current options. Chakrabarti’s company, i-RNA, is now one of five finalists in Breakthrough T1D’s Golden Ticket commercialisation competition, due to conclude at the end of October.
The charity says the emotional side of type 1 diabetes must not be overlooked as new treatments emerge. Presenters at the congress warned that fewer hypos should not simply mean more demands on patients, and argued that clinicians should think not only about time in range, but also about time in happiness. They also called for language that avoids stigma, particularly when speaking about early-stage type 1 diabetes. Breakthrough T1D Canada says it is supporting that broader agenda through research into eye, heart and kidney complications, by encouraging trials of new therapies at Canadian sites and through mental health programmes, including accredited training for healthcare professionals.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
