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Momentum For Change

As we look to aggressively fundraise to push forward new T1D research, our JDRF donors and advocates demonstrate their commitment to Canadians affected by T1D through their philanthropy and support.

Together they are collectively accelerating the pace of change.

The T1D Fund

In 2016, a group of JDRF volunteers identified that a lack of life sciences venture capital investment in type 1 diabetes (T1D) was one of the biggest roadblocks to progress toward a cure. To overcome that obstacle, JDRF created the T1D Fund – a combination of venture capital and philanthropy focused solely on accelerating the development of commercial products and therapies for T1D.

Curing disease demands the cooperation of a mosaic of constituents. Five years ago, we were missing a critical piece of the puzzle.

When donors back this fund, their investments support companies with a focus on drugs, devices, diagnostic tools and other health solutions with applications to T1D. The T1D Fund chooses companies that can make the greatest clinical impact on T1D – leading to better disease management and potential cures.

The T1D Fund is now the largest single-disease focused venture philanthropy fund in the world. In just four years, our Fund and its alongside venture capital have invested an incredible $500 million in T1D programs. The number of companies working on T1D therapies has grown from just a handful to more than 30 pharmaceutical and biotech companies – backed by more than 85 donors worldwide and 30+ venture capital and biotech funders. It has also led to several exciting developments in T1D and major acquisitions of T1D Fund-backed startups.