JDRF announces £97m research funding

A total of £97m will be spend on tackling diabetes in the UK, it has been announced.

The money is being provided by seven funders, the type 1 charity JDRF said in a report called Type 1 Research Today.

Released at the organiation’s #Type1Catalyst event in the Houses of Parliament, the document also highlighted the fact that institutions and funders can maximise value through greater communication and partnership.

Funding support

Copeland MP Jamie Reed, who lives with type 1 diabetes, hosted the event.

He said: “The NHS saved my life, but I know that type 1 diabetes needs to be better understood, that people with the condition require a much better service than the one we currently receive, and that we must find a cure.

MP Jamie Reed (left) was speaking 24 hours after running the London Marathon for JDRF

“That’s why I support the invaluable work undertaken by JDRF, why I will continue to champion the cause in Parliament, and why I would encourage anyone to contact their MP to ask them to do the same.”

The announcement came as the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) announced further funding support for researchers investigating type 1 diabetes immunotherapies.

Rachel Connor, JDRF Director of Research Partnerships said: “Type 1 Research Today highlights the breadth of research happening around the UK to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes and its complications.

“Immunotherapy research is a core strength of UK science and is critical to progress towards a world without type 1 diabetes. We’re therefore delighted that the NIHR is backing vital type 1 diabetes immunotherapy research.”

Type 1 diabetes affects about 400,000 people in the UK, including 29,000 children.