Breakthrough T1D and Continuity Biosciences collaborate to advance Niche cell-therapy platform. 24th March 2026 Continuity Biosciences and Breakthrough T1D have formed a strategic collaboration to advance Continuity's Niche cell-therapy platform toward a planned first-in-human clinical study for people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The effort is supported by Breakthrough T1D's Industry Discovery and Development Partnership (IDDP) program, which funds research projects that accelerate promising therapeutic programs for the treatment, cure, and prevention of T1D. If successful, the Niche platform could represent a new delivery paradigm for cell-based therapies in T1D by facilitating direct cell vascularisation and localised immune protection while reducing systemic immunosuppression. The collaboration combines Continuity's expertise in implantable, precision-controlled drug delivery systems with Breakthrough T1D's experience in accelerating innovation across the T1D ecosystem. The program will support IND-enabling development and a planned Phase 1/2a first-in-human clinical study of Niche- an implantable, retrievable, and refillable extrahepatic cell-therapy platform, designed to address the challenges of graft vascularisation and immune protection that limit islet transplantation. Niche integrates a prevascularised graft chamber for insulin-producing cells with a dedicated drug reservoir that can deliver localised immunodulatory agents to the graft microenvironment. By combining insulin-producing cells with localised immune protection, the platform can help restore the body's ability to produce insulin while protecting those cells from immune attack. This precision-controlled approach allows targeted immune modulation while decreasing systemic exposure, aiming to enhance graft durability and long-term therapeutic outcomes. Ramakrishna Venugopalan, co-founder and CEO of Continuity Biosciences, said, "This collaboration reflects our conviction that the future of type 1 diabetes will be shaped not only by breakthrough cell therapies, but by how effectively those therapies can be delivered, protected, and sustained over time. Breakthrough T1D has played a critical role in catalysing progress across the field. Together, we are advancing both the science and the disciplined clinical pathway necessary to translate innovation into scalable impact for patients." The staged development program has been developed to establish concept feasibility and safety before advancing to full combination-product capabilities, incorporating localised immune modulation in preclinical models. The planned Phase 1/2a study will analyse device safety, vascularisation, and islet viability in adults with long-standing T1D. Alessandro Grattoni, co-founder and chief scientific advisor of Continuity Biosciences, said, "As a co-founder of Continuity, my focus has been translating breakthrough delivery science into clinically practical and scalable technologies. Niche was engineered to create a controlled, prevascularised environment where therapeutic cells can survive and function while localised immunotherapy helps protect those cells from immune attack. Our goal is to enable durable cell therapies that could ultimately restore the body's ability to produce insulin." Asja Guzman, Breakthrough T1D associate director of Cell Therapy Research, said, "The development of safe and effective cell therapies that can one day lead to cures for type 1 diabetes is a key priority for Breakthrough T1D. Addressing the immune rejection after transplantation remains a challenge. We are excited to work with Continuity on this new approach to keeping transplanted cells healthy and protected from immune rejection with localised rather than broad immunosuppression."

Hoffman Car Wash partners with Breakthrough T1D to help find a cure. March 6, 2026 Hoffman Car Wash is proud to once again partner with Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, to support research aimed at curing Type 1 Diabetes. From March 1st - 10th, 2026, 100 percent of every $5 Carbonite, Ceramic, and Vision Clear upgrade purchased at any Hoffman Car Wash Exterior or Full Service location will be donated directly to Breakthrough T1D. These premium upgrades deliver more than just shine. Carbonite and Ceramic treatments use advanced graphene and ceramic protection to shield your vehicle from dirt, debris, UV rays, and water spots while enhancing durability and gloss. Vision Clear improves windshield visibility by repelling rain, sleet, and snow, helping drivers stay safer in unpredictable weather. Breakthrough T1D is the leading global organization funding Type 1 Diabetes research. Its mission is to accelerate breakthroughs that cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications while improving lives today and tomorrow. "Breakthrough T1D is deeply grateful to Hoffman Car Wash for stepping up and turning an easy upgrade into meaningful impact for our type 1 diabetes (T1D) community," said Danielle Slater, Breakthrough T1D's Upstate New York Market Director. "Every upgrade fuels research, advances treatments, and brings us closer to a world without T1D. It is this kind of local leadership that truly moves progress forward and reminds us how powerful our community can be when local businesses lead with generosity and kindness." Type 1 Diabetes can strike children and adults suddenly. It is not caused by diet or lifestyle, and there is currently no cure. Individuals with T1D require constant monitoring and lifelong insulin therapy to manage the disease. "As someone who has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over 40 years, I understand the daily challenges it brings, not only for those diagnosed but for their families as well," said Tom Hoffman Jr., CEO of Hoffman Car Wash. "Every donation moves us closer to better treatments and ultimately a cure. We are proud to stand with our customers and our community in this effort." The event is part of Hoffman Car Wash's "Practice Kindness" initiative, which spreads positivity and goodwill in the communities it serves. By practicing kindness, Hoffman Car Wash hopes to make a positive impact and inspire others to do the same. Hoffman Car Wash has a long-standing relationship with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH), Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), the Saratoga Senior Center, Ronald McDonald House, and Kelly's Angels. Hoffman Car Wash also supports many non-profits and youth organizations through its Helping Hands Fundraising program. About Hoffman Car Wash Hoffman Car Wash, along with its customer-focused professional team members, has been a leader in the car care industry since 1965. Family-owned and operated, Hoffman Car Wash has locations throughout the Capital Region, Bennington, Binghamton, Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, and Southern Adirondacks

Breakthrough T1D hosting community summit at Oakland University in March. Posted 5:24 AM, Feb 12, 2026 and last updated 5:24 AM, Feb 12, 2026 (WXYZ) - Breakthrough T1D, formerly known as JDRF, will host a Southeast Michigan Community Summit in March, aiming to raise awareness for Type 1 Diabetes. According to Breakthrough T1D, the community summit is an educational and networking opportunity for those who are impacted by T1D. The summit will "bring our community together to learn from T1D experts, hear about the latest breakthroughs in T1D research, meet vendor exhibitors, connect with others impacted by T1D, and more." The summit is not just for adults. Breakthrough T1D will also have youth activities for kids ages 5-12, including a kids camp and a teen track. There will be several speakers and exhibitors, including Dr. Anastasia Albanese-O'Neill, who is the vice president of medical affairs at Breakthrough T1D. She'll speak about research, clinical trials, therapies and more the organization is working on to bring a cure to T1D. There will be breakout sessions for people who have T1D, for caregivers or those who love someone with T1D, and more. The community summit runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 at the Oakland Center on the campus of Oakland University. Registration is available now on the Breakthrough T1D website. For those in other parts of Michigan, there will be a community summit for West & Northern Michigan at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 14.