Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

Episode: In the News - COVID-19 & T1D, Ozempic Pill Progress, FDA to Consider Afrezza for Kids, Faster Insulin, “Beyond Misconceptions,” and More

Host: Stacey Simms
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This "In the News" installment covers the latest headlines and scientific developments relevant to the Type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. Host Stacey Simms concisely discusses hot topics such as the link between COVID-19 and T1D cases, promising new therapies and medications, ongoing legislative action regarding insulin pricing, crucial research milestones, and campaigns aiming to end misconceptions about diabetes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scientific American Feature on T1D Innovations

[00:14]

• Scientific American released a special report on Type 1 diabetes innovations.
• Editorially independent but produced with funding from Vertex.
• Stacey has provided a link on diabetes-connections.com for easy access.

2. COVID-19 and Increase in T1D Cases (Sweden)

[00:54]

• Recent study from Sweden found a significant rise in Type 1 diabetes cases during the pandemic:
  • 12% increase in 2021, 9% in 2022, with rates normalizing in 2023.
  • Effects were most pronounced in children under 5 and young adult men.
  • “They can’t distinguish a clear connection between COVID-19 infection and diabetes except for kids between 5 and 9 years old.”
• COVID-19 vaccine not implicated, as the age group most affected wasn’t recommended for vaccination.

3. Novo Nordisk Ends Cell Therapy Programs (Including T1D)

[02:23]

• Novo Nordisk discontinuing all cell therapy R&D, affecting Parkinson’s, chronic heart failure, and T1D cure research.
• Nearly all of the division’s 250 employees are being laid off.

4. New Gene Therapy for Diabetic Kidney Disease

[02:56]

• Promising gene therapy reduced a kidney damage marker by 64% in a study published in Molecular Therapy.
• Approach: delivering a protective protein directly to kidney cells.
• “Paves the way for a potential new treatment.”

5. FDA to Consider Afrezza Inhaled Insulin for Kids

[03:31]

• Mankind Corp. has submitted Afrezza (inhaled insulin) for pediatric use.
• FDA decision deadline set for end of May 2026.
• Afrezza has been approved for adult use since June 2014.

6. Experimental GLP-1 Pills for Type 2 & Obesity

[03:58]

• Eli Lilly’s orforglipron shows average body weight loss of 12% in latest phase 3 studies.
• Zepbound (injectable) resulted in up to 21% loss.
• Novo Nordisk’s oral and injectable Wegovy versions show 15% weight loss.
• “Lilly's injectable drug Zepbound produced weight loss as much as 21%.”

7. Genetic Mutations, Obesity, and Diabetes

[04:54]

• New research links age-related genetic mutations in blood stem cells to higher risk for obesity, fatty liver disease, and diabetes.
• Debunks the idea that obesity causes these changes, suggesting the reverse may also be true.

8. Ultrarapid Insulin BioChaperone Lispro Advances

[05:40]

• Phase 3 trial in China finds new ultrarapid insulin safe and effective versus Humalog.
• Reduces blood glucose spikes after meals.
• Combines BioChaperone tech with insulin lispro.

9. Teenage A1C and Adult Neuropathy Link

[06:08]

• University of Michigan study tracks T1Ds diagnosed in early ‘90s; higher teen A1Cs correlated with increased adult neuropathy.
• “Average A1Cs during the teenage years… about 9%, compared to 8% in childhood/adulthood.”
• No similar link found for retinopathy.

10. Blue Circle Health Expands Services

[07:02]

• Now available in 16 states; recent additions include MA, CT, PA, VA, and KY.
• Provides free clinical care and education for adults with T1D, funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust.

11. Insulin Price Collusion Lawsuit

[07:36]

• O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. sues major PBMs and insulin-makers (CVS, Caremark, Express Scripts, OptumRx, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi) for alleged price inflation collusion under the RICO act.
• Seeks triple damages, restitution, and lawsuit costs.

12. Nobel Prize Honors Work Relevant to Autoimmunity

[08:24]

• Nobel awarded to three scientists for discovering how regulatory T cells prevent the immune system from attacking the body.
• Findings are foundational to modern autoimmune disease research.
• “Findings are critical to understanding autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.”

13. Beyond Type 1 Launches “Beyond Misconceptions” Campaign

[09:01]

• New campaign uses humor (featuring Nick Jonas and notable advocates) to combat diabetes myths.
• “A really fun video… uses a lot of humor as well as a bunch of real life amazing people with type 1 who aren't all celebrities.”
• Links to the campaign and video available in show notes.
• Also mentions Abbott’s more serious, empathy-driven “Above the Bias” video as a contrast in awareness-raising tone.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On pandemic-related diabetes spike:

  “They found the number of cases increased by 12% in 2021 and 9% in 2022 compared with previous years, and in 2023 the number of cases was back to a normal level.” [01:16]

• Regarding T1D cell therapy discontinuation:

  “Novo Nordisk is ending all work in cell therapy, including a type 1 diabetes program. This is part of a very large reorganization.” [02:23]

• About the Afrezza pediatric FDA review:

  “It has been assigned a decision deadline date at the end of May 2026.” [03:41]

• Regarding new GLP-1 pill potential:

  “Orforglipron could help patients lose an average of about 12% of their body weight.” [04:16]

• On genetic mutations and risk:

  “It looks like these changes may actually put you at higher risk for obesity and diabetes.” [05:18]

• Campaign humor:

  “A, I gotta say, really fun video with Nick Jonas and many others...I think this is really well done and worth sharing.” [09:01]

Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)

• 00:14 — Scientific American’s T1D innovations coverage
• 00:54 — COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on Type 1 incidence in Sweden
• 02:23 — Novo Nordisk ends T1D cell therapy research
• 02:56 — Gene therapy in diabetic kidney disease
• 03:31 — FDA to review Afrezza for children and teens
• 03:58 — Latest on GLP-1 pills for weight loss/type 2
• 04:54 — Research: Blood stem cell mutations & diabetes risk
• 05:40 — Phase 3 results: ultrarapid insulin (BioChaperone Lispro)
• 06:08 — Teenage A1C and its long-term effects
• 07:02 — Blue Circle Health expands access
• 07:36 — Insulin price collusion lawsuit update
• 08:24 — Nobel Prize for immune system research
• 09:01 — “Beyond Misconceptions” campaign launch

Tone & Style

Stacey remains informative yet friendly, balancing technical detail with accessible explanations suited for families, patients, and advocates. She incorporates humor, personal opinions, and enthusiasm for community efforts, making the news digest not just a round-up, but a valuable touchstone for anyone connected to Type 1 diabetes.