Chasing the miracles of science to transform the lives of people living with autoimmune T1D
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting the autoimmune type 1 diabetes community. Here you can find information about some of the programmes and partnerships Sanofi UK is involved with. Each project aims to raise awareness of T1D and the impact it has on people living with the condition.
Did You Know
T1D is an autoimmune, progressive and lifelong condition that can develop at any age, regardless of family history.1
90%
of people diagnosed with T1D have no family history.2
Although anyone can develop type 1 diabetes, if just one first-degree relative has T1D , the risk of diagnosis increases by up to 15x.3
1Type Band is Launched
Watch the video to find out more about 1Type, the first pop band of young people living with T1D, created in partnership with Stagecoach Performing Arts.
This project, the band and all assets associated with this band was initiated, organised, sponsored and funded by Sanofi. The song "Rise Up" was co-written by the band members, Studio Salamanca, and Duke Al Durham. Sanofi is licensing the song and will not make any profits from the song. By listening to "Rise Up," you're directly supporting charities that help people living with T1D as Sanofi will match the profits from the song with a donation to such charities.
Listen here
Rhymin' Reema Beano Partnership
Read our digital comic strip, featuring Rhymin' Reema, the Beano character living with autoimmune type 1 diabetes.
Martha's Experience
Watch Martha talk about her experience living with autoimmune type 1 diabetes.
Shaping the Future
At Sanofi, we are building on 100 years of expertise in diabetes and continuing to push scientific boundaries to improve our understanding of the immune system. Ongoing research has expanded our understanding of the underlying autoimmune mechanisms of T1D, and has now enabled the earlier detection of the disease before someone experiences symptoms. We are working to raise awareness of T1D and the importance of early detection to improve outcomes for those living with T1D.
Early detection is not currently available on the NHS. Two large scale studies are underway in the UK testing thousands of people. You can find out more about early detection through these studies; ELSA & T1DRA. The ELSA (EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes) study is screening children to find those who are at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes4. ELSA is co-funded by Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D5. The Type 1 Diabetes Risk in Adults (T1DRA) study is researching type 1 diabetes in adults aged between 18 and 70, to find those who are likely to develop type 1 diabetes in the future. It’s led by Professor Kathleen Gillespie at the University of Bristol. Neither ELSA or T1DRA are funded by Sanofi.6
UK Patient Advocacy Groups & Studies
Sanofi UK is very proud to be working alongside the following organisations to better serve the T1D community:
Digibete
ELSA Study
References
- 1 Insel RA, et al. Staging presymptomatic type 1 diabetes: a scientific statement of JDRF, the Endocrine Society, and the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(10):1964-1974.
- 2 Sims EK, et al. Screening for type 1 diabetes in the general population: A Status Report and Perspective. Diabetes. 2022;71(4):610-623.
- 3 Parkkola A, Härkönen T, Ryhänen SJ, Ilonen J, .et al; Finnish Pediatric Diabetes Register. Extended family history of type 1 diabetes and phenotype and genotype of newly diagnosed children. Diabetes Care. 2013 Feb;36(2):348-54.
- 4 Diabetes UK, 2024. UK-first screening trial for type 1 diabetes sees 20,000 children sign up so far. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/news-and-views/uk-first-screening-trial-type-1-diabetes-sees-18000-children-sign-so-far [Accessed: October 2025]
- 5 Diabetes UK, 2022. Type 1 diabetes screening: ELSA. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/our-research/about-our-research/our-funded-projects/midlands/type-1-diabetes-screening-elsa [Accessed: October 2025]
- 6 University of Bristol, 2024. News: Diabetes Award. Available at: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2024/november/diabetes-award.html. [Accessed: October 2025]
MAT-XU-2501991 (v1.0) | DOP: October 2025