MHRA approves teplizumab to delay progression of type 1 diabetes

What is teplizumab?

Teplizumab is the UK’s first-ever approved medicine that can be used treat type 1 diabetes using immunotherapy - which activates or suppresses the body’s immune system. Teplizumab has been approved for by MHRA for people with Stage 2 T1D, which is an earlier stage where people are at high risk of progressing to Stage 3 T1D.

The medicine can delay the onset of Stage 3 T1D by an average of three years in adults and children aged 8 years and older, who already have Stage 2 T1D.

Teplizumab is taken directly into your blood stream (intravenous infusion), usually through a drip, once a day, for 14 days.

Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research and Clinical at Diabetes UK, says: “Licensing teplizumab in the UK marks a turning point in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. For the first time, we have a medicine that targets the root cause of the condition, offering up to three precious extra years from the relentless demands of managing type 1 diabetes.”

When is Stage 3 T1D diagnosed?

You are usually diagnosed with Stage 3 T1D when you begin to have blood sugar problems which often require lifelong insulin treatment.

Are there side effects of teplizumab?

Teplizumab has been approved through the International Recognition Procedure (IRP), whose expertise the MHRA can use to benefit people in the UK. A full list of side effects will be published before teplizumab is made available.

As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep monitoring the safety and effectiveness of teplizumab.

If you think you are having a side effect from this medicine speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. You should also report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.