US makes $300m investment for Type 1 diabetes research

The US government has passed legislation for $300m (£200m) of funding for Type 1 diabetes research.

Senators approved the country’s Special Diabetes Program (SDP) for two additional years, ensuring $150m (£100m) can be spent in each of the next two years supporting cutting-edge Type 1 diabetes research at the country’s National Institutes of Health.

The Special Diabetes Program has been funded by the US since 1998. Since its inception it has demonstrated results in Type 1 diabetes research and has enabled scientists to make significant advances in prevention studies and treatment improvements. These have included the artificial pancreas project.

JDRF in the UK is calling on candidates standing for the 2015 General Election to take inspiration from across the Atlantic

Karen Addington, Chief Executive at JDRF in the UK, said: “The renewal of the Special Diabetes Program is excellent news for Type 1 diabetes research globally. We congratulate the thousands JDRF of supporters across the United States for approaching their local senators and representatives about why they most vote to renew it.

“With our #CountMeIn campaign, JDRF in the UK is calling on candidates standing for the 2015 General Election to take inspiration from across the Atlantic, and to commit to supporting Type 1 diabetes medical research if they are elected.”

The charity is urging people to join its #CountMeIn campaign.