Brigham & Women's Diabetes Expert Highlights 2020 Research

Director of the Brigham and Women’s Diabetes Program Dr Marie McDonnell talked with Patient Care Online in late December about 2020's landmark SGLT2 inhibitor studies and recommended what areas of research show greatest promise for 2021 and beyond.

For example, look for phase 3 data this year from the studies on once-weekly insulin icodec--an approach to treatment that could be life-altering for millions who rely on daily insulin shots. Then, follow the ongoing work to develop "safe depot" drug administration across therapeutic areas, advises McDonnell.

McDonnell also believes that cell-based therapy, ie, beta-cell replacement, and gene editing procedures such as CRISPR will be increasingly applied to and successful in the treatment of both type 1 and advanced type 2 diabetes.

Marie McDonnell, MD, Chief, Diabetes Section, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Hypertension Director, Brigham & Women’s Diabetes Program Brigham and Women’s Hospital Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School