Overview
- NICE recommended teplizumab for NHS use on Tuesday, allowing a one-off 14-day intravenous course for children aged eight and over and adults with stage 2, pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes.
- Clinical trial evidence shows the immunotherapy can delay the onset of symptomatic type 1 diabetes by an average of nearly three years, giving patients extra time before they need intensive insulin management.
- NICE estimates roughly 1,100 people could be eligible in the first year, falling to about 820 in later years, so early access will depend on identifying those few who have stage 2 disease.
- Two UK screening studies — the Elsa study for children and the T1DRA study for adults — are central to finding eligible patients, and short infusion appointments will be needed at hospitals or clinics.
- Reports say Sanofi and NHS England have a confidential commercial agreement for supply at a discount, and health groups called the decision a landmark because this is the first therapy shown to change the course of type 1 diabetes rather than only replace insulin.