A major grant on type 1 diabetes
Giorgio Ramadori, a researcher in the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism and Faculty Diabetes Centre at UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, is the lead investigator on a CHF 2.5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust in the United States. This funding will enable Giorgio Ramadori to complete the preclinical studies, setting the stage to conduct the first clinical trials of an innovative treatment for type 1 diabetes. This is the result of over a decade of dedicated efforts at the University of Geneva, in the laboratory of Professor Roberto Coppari, focusing on unraveling mechanisms that sustain life in the absence of insulin.
After completing a PhD in biology and a specialisation in molecular biology and pharmacology, Giorgio Ramadori did a post-doc at the UTSW Medical Center in Dallas before joining Professor Roberto Coppari's laboratory at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine as a senior lecturer.
Using a variety of research models, the research team has identified a small protein, S100A9, as a factor capable of prolonging the lifespan of insulin-deficient mice while improving their glycaemic and ketone profiles. Recognising the translational implications of their discovery, in particular the prospect of using S100A9 in conjunction with reduced doses of insulin for a more effective management of type 1 diabetes, Giorgio Ramadori and his colleagues now want to develop a clinical application. "We are working on a subcutaneous injection of a recombinant form of S100A9, which may provide a safer, more effective and less restrictive alternative for patients to control their blood sugar levels, therefore improving their quality of life," he explains. "If successful, this method may not only reduce the therapeutic need for insulin, but also mitigate the risks associated with hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, which are persistent and potentially severe with current treatments for type 1 diabetes.”
The grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust will help fund the completion of pre-clinical studies and preparatory work for the clinical trial application process in 2025. "The Helmsley Charitable Trust is not only accelerating the progress of our project, but also broadening its scope and impact. Beyond the financial support, it reflects a shared commitment to advancing medical knowledge and, more importantly, improving the lives of people affected by type 1 diabetes," he concludes.
