Participate in Research
Anyone who is considering participating in a research study or clinical trial is encouraged to speak with their health care provider(s) about the benefits and risks.
The information provided on this website is intended to help you identify studies and trials that may be relevant to you. Each listing includes eligibility parameters based on age and time since diagnosis (when applicable), but additional eligibility criteria may exist; please review the Clinical Trials Registry link or use the Study Website or Study Contact links for more information about eligibility.
Please note that while ClinicalTrials.gov is only available in English, study teams will make every possible attempt to interact in multiple languages unless otherwise stated. This may include having French and English materials available or employing translators.
Location identifies where a study is being conducted. Some studies may provide travel subsidies for out-of-town or out-of-province participants. Use the Study Website or Study Contact links to inquire directly with the research team about the possibility of travelling to participate in the study. Other studies may be conducted virtually, for example if the intervention is based on access to a digital platform.
Clinical Trial Phases are given where appropriate: Phase 1 is usually in a small number of participants (~20-100) to test that the intervention has the desired effect and assess side effects, Phase 2 (~100-300 participants) assesses the efficacy of the intervention on T1D outcomes and examines the best dosage levels, frequency, etc. Phase 3 is greater proof of efficacy (~300-1000 participants) compared to any existing treatments or existing ‘standard of care’.
*Page last updated March 2023*
Pediatric (under 18 years)
Location(s): Toronto, ON and London, ON
Eligibility: aged 12-18 years with T1D for at least 1-year
Project Summary: ATTEMPT is a 22-week clinical trial that aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of an SGLT2 inhibitor called dapagliflozin (currently used for T2D) on managing blood glucose and preventing kidney complications in adolescents with T1D.
Duration: 22-weeks (drug administered for 16-weeks + follow up)
Drug Information: Dapagliflozin vs placebo (sugar)
PI(s): Dr. Farid Mahmud, The Hospital for Sick Children
Adults (18 years or older)
Location(s): Virtual
Eligibility: Everyone (≤13yo parental registry, ≥14yo individual registry).
Project Summary: This registry is for anyone in Canada living with T1D. The registry is considered research since it collects information from registrants about demographic and diabetes management information. The registry benefits participants by creating a more accurate picture of T1D in Canada. It also provides valuable support with webinars, videos, and communications regarding all things T1D.
PI(s): Dr. Remi Rhabasa-Lhoret, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal
Location(s): Vancouver, BC and Toronto, ON
Eligibility: aged 18-35 years, diagnosed with T1D within past 100 days.
Project Summary: A JDRF-funded clinical trial is examining whether ustekinumab (pronounced oos·teh·KIN·yoo·mab), a drug currently used for the treatment of psoriasis (which affects the skin), Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease), and other autoimmune conditions, can also treat T1D. Manufactured by Janssen and sold under the name Stelara®, it is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits two molecules that regulate the immune system. The researchers are investigating if the simultaneous inhibition of two immune cell pathways—those involving T cells that make interleukin-17 or interferon-gamma, which are believed to harm beta cells—can halt the progression of, or reverse the disease in newly-diagnosed people with T1D.
Duration: >1 year (drug administered for 52-weeks + follow up)
Clinical Trial Phase: Phase 3 (of 3)
Drug Information: Ustekinumab vs placebo (sugar)
PI(s): Dr. Jan Dutz (University of British Columbia), Dr. Bruce Perkins (Mount Sinai Hospital/UHN), and Dr. Tom Elliot (BCDiabetes)
Location(s): Virtual (for residents of BC)
Eligibility for Peer-supporter: Age 19+, living with T1D, reside in BC, speak English*, reliable access to internet and zoom, and willing to complete a 6-hour training program and provide ongoing peer support.
Eligibility for REACHOUT user: Age 19+, living with T1D, reside in one of: Vancouver Island, Fraser, Northern and Interior BC health authorities, speak English*, have access to a smartphone.
*the REACHOUT app is currently only available in English
Project Summary: A virtual care platform to deliver peer-led mental health support to rural and remote communities in BC. REACHOUT is a Mobile App developed in collaboration with adults with T1D, clinical psychologists, biomedical engineers, behavioural scientists, and rural health experts with the aim to reduce diabetes distress. This study is recruiting both peer-supporters (actively recruiting as of February 2023) and participants in remote and rural BC that would like to access peer-led mental health support (recruitment estimated to begin April 2023).
Duration: 6+ months
PI(s): Dr. Tricia Tang, University of British Columbia
Location(s): Virtual
Eligibility: 18-29 years, living with T1D
Project Summary: This project is bringing experts in mental health and T1D care together with those who have lived experience of T1D to co-develop a solution for diabetes distress that is accessible and acceptable to adults with T1D, their caregivers, and health care practitioners. This project adapts proven approaches to managing diabetes distress supported and directed by mental health and T1D experts.
This project is currently in the design stage and is looking for young adults living with T1D to provide insight into their experience of living with T1D.
Duration: 1-hour virtual interview
PI(s): Dr. Peter Selby, The Center for Addiction and Mental Health
Location(s): Montreal, QC
Eligibility: aged 18+ years with T1D for at least 1-year
Project Summary: This study is comparing a novel combination therapy (insulin-plus-pramlintide) used in conjunction with an artificial pancreas that may alleviate the need for carbohydrate counting.
Duration: 2-4 months
Clinical Trial Phase: Device Trial: Class IV / Drug Trial: Phase 2
Drug/device Information: Fiasp+pramlintide vs Fiasp-alone with carbohydrate matched boluses
*Option to follow up with Aspart insulin trials*
PI(s): Dr. Ahmad Haidar, McGill University
Location(s): Edmonton, Alberta
Eligibility: 18-68 years with T1D for >5 years and is a candidate for an islet transplant, i.e., with hypoglycemia unawareness
Project Summary: This trial combines islet transplantation with an infusion of specialized immune-regulatory cells called cryopreserved polyclonal regulatory T cells (cePolyTregs). The trial will determine the safety and efficacy of cePolyTregs for improving islet transplant outcomes and reduce the level of immunosuppressants required.
PolyTregs are a subtype of white blood cells that are isolated from a participant’s blood and cultured before being infused back into the patient. All participants will receive islet transplants and maintained on anti-rejection drugs. The treatment group will receive cePolyTregs two-weeks after transplant. All participants will be followed for 1 year to assess safety and efficacy of the cePolyTreg therapy.
Duration: 58-weeks (transplant (+ cePolyTregs at 2-weeks) + 1-year follow-up)
Clinical Trial Phase: Phase 1 (of 3)
Surgical Information: Islet transplantation + cePolyTregs vs islet transplantation only
PI(s): Dr. A.M. James Shapiro, University of Alberta
Location(s): Edmonton, Alberta
Eligibility: 18-68 years with T1D for >5 years and is a candidate for an islet transplant, i.e., with hypoglycemia unawareness
Project Summary: This study examines the viability of subcutaneous (under skin) islet transplantation. Transplanting islet cells within the liver has been effective in of restoring blood glucose control to patients with T1D; however, the procedure often results in graft loss and does not permit imaging or retrieval of the islets, which is important for safety monitoring in stem cell-derived cell therapy. Implant of cells beneath the skin (subcutaneous site) is an attractive alternate to islet and stem cell infusion into the liver site due to its accessibility and potential for monitoring transplant function.
In this trial, donor-derived islets are transplanted both into the liver (standard protocol) and into subcutaneous sites (trial protocol) simultaneously. Portions of the subcutaneous implanted islets will be removed and examined periodically within a 9-month period. This will provide a ‘window’ to the parallel islets in the liver and help identify an alternative transplant site.
Duration: 9-months (implantation + removal at 9-months post-op)
Clinical Trial Phase: Phase 1 (of 3)
Surgical Information: Islet transplantation in liver + subcutaneous sites (including removal of subcutaneous site transplants)
PI(s): Dr. A.M. James Shapiro, University of Alberta
Location(s): Virtual or Montreal, QC
Eligibility: ≥18 years of age, with T1D for at least 1-year, have been using an artificial pancreas system for more than 3 months
Project Summary: The objectives are: 1) to observe the time in glycemic targets, 3 months after starting the randomly assigned diet (low carb or standard) and 2) to see how many participants will continue to follow the diet for up to one year. You will continue to use your own artificial pancreas system. You will have the opportunity to have an update of your nutritional knowledge related to type 1 diabetes, optimization of your treatment and access to a qualified nutritionist throughout the study.
Duration: The project involves 8 visits over a 1-year period. All visits can be done either at the IRCM or remotely
PI(s): Dr. Remi Rhabasa-Lhoret, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal and Dr. Anne-Sophie Brazeau, McGill University
Location(s): Montreal, QC
Eligibility: aged 18+ years with T1D, living in Montreal (due to frequent visits)
Project Summary: This project examines the impact of pancreatic enzymes on hypoglycemia. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a deficiency in the pancreatic enzymes, resulting in the inability to digest some foods properly. This is an observational trial to examine the relationship between the level of pancreatic enzymes and the frequency of hypoglycemia in people with T1D. Involvement in this study includes blood draws, glucose monitoring, and reporting of hypoglycemic events.
Duration: 1-year of observation
PI(s): Dr. Sylvie Lesage, Université de Montréal
JDRF-funded studies that are active but not recruiting
Location(s): Virtual
Eligibility: Age 12-17 years with T1D for at least 6-months
Project Summary: The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of a mindful self-compassion program on improving the diabetes distress experienced by youth with T1D. The mindful self-compassion program will consist of weekly virtual 1.5-hour sessions/workshops for 8 weeks, led by a trained facilitator. It will cover a variety of self-compassion practices, such as dealing with difficult emotions and developing a kind inner voice.
Trial Status: Ongoing – participant recruitment was completed February 2023. JDRF will update as results become available.
PI(s): Dr. Marie-Eve Robinson, The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Location(s): Multiple
Eligibility: Children born to mothers in the CONCEPTT trial will be examined at ages 3-7
Project Summary: This is an observational, follow-up study of children born to mothers in the CONCEPTT trial (continuous glucose monitoring in women with T1D during pregnancy). This study will examine the association of CGM during pregnancy on childhood intelligence quotient, behavioural outcomes, language scores, and weight measures.
Trial Status: Ongoing. JDRF will update as results become available.
PI(s): Dr. Jon Barrett, The Centre for Mother, Infant, and Child Research (CMICR); Dr. Jennifer Yamamoto, University of Calgary
Location(s): Montreal, QC
Eligibility: ≥18 years of age, with T1D for at least 1-year
Project Summary: According to guidelines, when a mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia occurs (capillary blood glucose < 4.0 mmol/L), 15-20g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates should be ingested. This study will examine a proactive approach to preventing mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia. Participants will attend 4 sessions in clinic that can be spaced over ~6-months. The first visit is for eligibility determination. The following 3 visits (approximately 5 hours each) include a test carried out under medical supervision, during which we will lower your blood sugar by an insulin injection to test the effectiveness of an intake of 16g of carbs (Dex4) to prevent or correct hypoglycemia at three different glycemic thresholds (blood sugar < 4 mmol/L; <4.5 mmol/L; and <5 mmol/L).
Trial Status: Ongoing – participant recruitment is completed. JDRF will update as results become available.
PI(s): Dr. Remi Rhabasa-Lhoret, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal
Find Out About T1D Trials in Canada and Beyond
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