The POInT study aims to train the immune system and by this prevent type 1 diabetes in children with an increased genetic risk for the disease. Study sites in five European countries (Germany, Belgium, Poland, Sweden and Great Britain) started working on the innovative trial in November 2017, among them the research team around associate professor Helena Elding Larsson at Lund University and Skåne Hospital in Sweden.

“We are very happy to have reached this important mark in our recruitment efforts and would like to express our gratitude towards the participating families”, she states.

“If oral insulin proves to be effective against type 1 diabetes, our vision of a world without type 1 diabetes will be a big step closer. But already today, the families benefit from early detection through counseling and the excellent medical care that all of our study sites provide, including a reduction of complications in the event that they are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.”

In order to take part in the POInT study, newborns until the age of 4 months are screened for an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Only a few drops of blood are needed for the screening as taken directly form umbilical cord at birth or later from the child’s hand or heel. In Sweden parents have the opportunity free of charge to test their children in this test in Skåne.

GPPAD is funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.