Understanding
Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the most common form of diabetes in children. It is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Because the pancreas can no longer produce sufficient insulin, children with T1D require daily insulin injections or insulin pump therapy to stay healthy.

Even when managed well, T1D permanently impacts the life of the child and their family. Unfortunately, the disease still increases the risk of serious health complications later in life, such as heart and vascular diseases, kidney problems, infections, and nerve damage, significantly reducing life expectancy.

Who is at Risk?

Some children have a genetic predisposition that increases their risk of developing T1D. If an immediate family member—such as a parent or sibling—has T1D, the child carries an increased risk. Genetic risk factors can be identified early, even in newborn infants, through simple blood tests, such as those used in screening programs like the Finnish DIPP Study.

Why is Research Important?

At Vactech, we believe that the most effective way to manage T1D is by preventing it altogether. This vision drives our research to develop a vaccine that could one day stop the disease before it starts. Such a vaccine could significantly improve the quality of life for children and their families and reduce the lifelong emotional and physical burden associated with T1D. We are currently testing this vaccine in clinical studies among volunteers to evaluate its properties in different age groups, and finally, its potential to prevent T1D.

Families play a crucial role in this important scientific work. By participating in research, you can help us better understand how type 1 diabetes develops and discover effective strategies for its prevention. Our trial program is progressing, and we will post regular updates of this program on our web page. The latest achievement was the completion of the first human trial – it showed that the vaccine was well tolerated and induced a robust immune response against diabetes-associated enteroviruses (published in Diabetologia May 2024).

Together, we can create a healthier future for our children.

For more information about T1D and ongoing research, please visit:

• www.dipp.fi
• Developing a vaccine for type 1 diabetes by targeting coxsackievirus B – PubMed
• Type 1 Diabetes Index
• Diabetes Vaccine Mission. A vaccine against type 1 diabetes
• Rationale for enteroviral vaccination and antiviral therapies in human type 1 diabetes – PubMed