# First Drug to Delay Type 1 Diabetes Now Available on the NHS

The NHS has approved teplizumab, an immunotherapy drug that delays the onset of type 1 diabetes by approximately three years. This marks the first treatment available in the UK that can postpone the disease rather than simply manage it after diagnosis.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Teplizumab works by targeting CD3 receptors on T cells, essentially quieting the immune attack before it destroys the insulin-producing islet cells. This approach represents a fundamental shift from treating established disease to preventing its progression in at-risk individuals.

The medication benefits people identified through screening as having autoimmune markers indicating imminent type 1 diabetes development. Children and adults with these genetic and immunological risk factors can now receive teplizumab infusions to buy time before insulin therapy becomes necessary.

The three-year delay matters considerably. It extends the honeymoon period, that window when some remaining beta cells continue producing insulin. During this extended window, blood sugar control improves, reducing complications from fluctuating glucose levels. The drug also provides psychological relief by postponing the immediate need for insulin injections and constant glucose monitoring.

Teplizumab received FDA approval in the United States in 2022 after clinical trials demonstrated its effectiveness. The NHS approval reflects growing confidence in its safety profile and clinical benefits for the UK population.

Access criteria are specific. Patients must meet precise diagnostic requirements, including documented autoimmune markers and stage 2 type 1 diabetes, meaning they show signs of autoimmune destruction but retain some remaining beta cell function. This targeted approach ensures treatment reaches those most likely to benefit.

The availability of teplizumab on the NHS represents progress in preventive medicine. Rather than waiting for