World’s leading type 1 diabetes funders, industry partners, and advocates unite behind a multi-phase plan to improve care for 165,000 people in three initial start-up geographies
NEW YORK, November 14, 2025 — Breakthrough T1D and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, together with Roche and Sanofi’s Global Health Unit, announced the launch of the Alliance for Integrated, Government-led Networks for T1D (ALIGN-T1D) on World Diabetes Day. Comprising the largest funders of global type 1 diabetes (T1D) programs, leading producers of diabetes medicines and technologies, and members of the T1D community, the Alliance represents an exciting new chapter in multisectoral collaboration for integrated diabetes care. In joining forces, Alliance partners have committed to a multi-year strategy, co-developed with core industry partners and in consultation with over 70 country- and global-level stakeholders, to improve access to comprehensive T1D care.
Almost 10 million people around the world live with T1D, a serious chronic condition requiring lifelong care. However, for the rapidly growing number of people living with T1D in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), quality diabetes care is often out of reach. This leads to missed and under-diagnosed cases, rationing of insulin and supplies, and preventable deaths. As a result, people living with T1D in LMICs face a life expectancy gap of up to 40 years compared to those in high-income countries.
“Breakthrough T1D is proud to be a part of this new Alliance that strives to improve the lives of all people living with T1D,” said Stephanie Pearson, Associate Vice President of Global Responsibility at Breakthrough T1D. “This is an opportunity to ensure that comprehensive diabetes care reaches where it is needed most.”
ALIGN-T1D’s integrated, cross-sector approach will address longstanding disparities in diabetes care. The Alliance is partnering with country and community stakeholders to improve access to care. Through this partnership, ALIGN-T1D seeks to streamline health services, expand the availability of insulin and monitoring tools and supplies, support health systems, empower T1D communities, and mobilize support and funding for lasting solutions.
In its first phase, the initiative aims to reach 165,000 people living with T1D across three low- and middle-income geographies. Working alongside ministries of health, community representatives, and local partners, ALIGN-T1D will support country-led strategies that reflect the most urgent local needs. Depending on country priorities, these approaches may include training and mentoring frontline workers; strengthening referral systems; developing and distributing standardized, locally-tailored tools and patient education materials; and advocating for the inclusion of T1D and broader noncommunicable disease care in health insurance and subsidized care plans, among others. This united approach strives to strengthen sustainable care for all people living with T1D, no matter where they live.
“Investing in collaborative efforts, like ALIGN-T1D, helps create a world where all people living with T1D can thrive. With many competing priorities in global health, we can do so much more when we act together,” said Gina Agiostratidou, T1D Program Director at the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “Collective action across sectors is key to ensuring the diabetes community’s priorities are included in country health policies and systems.”
Despite generous donations and funding, existing resources are relatively fragmented and gaps remain. Following the lead of government and T1D community representatives in LMICs, ALIGN-T1D aims to better optimize investments to fill funding gaps and improve efficiency so these vital resources translate to direct impact for people living with T1D.
To learn more about ALIGN-T1D and its work, visit ALIGNT1D.org.
Partner quotes
“This initiative is addressing one of the most underserved dimensions of global health,” said Ahmad Samir, Global Market Access Leader at Roche. “The urgency for equitable access to care has never been greater. ALIGN-T1D is mobilizing resources to help bridge gaps in diabetes care across LMICs, where the need is most critical.”
“ALIGN-T1D’s government and community-led approach is precisely what’s needed to create sustainable change in diabetes care,” said Jon Fairest, Head of the Global Health Unit at Sanofi. “By uniting local voices with policymakers and global expertise, we empower countries and communities to shape solutions that truly reflect their unique needs and realities. This is how we build lasting impact in diabetes care across LMICs.”
“Financial sustainability and government ownership are very important considerations for improving access to T1D care,” said Sana Ajmal, Founder and Executive Director of Meethi Zindagi – Pakistan and person living with T1D. “ALIGN-T1D’s focus on sustainability and community leadership is what makes this so exciting and different.”
“From Brazil, I’ve seen how the challenges of living with T1D are deeply connected to broader issues in health systems,” said Mark Barone, Founder and General Manager of ForumCCNT and person living with T1D. “ALIGN-T1D brings these perspectives together, showing that equity in diabetes care depends on collaboration across sectors, stakeholders, and the noncommunicable disease community.”
“People living with type 1 diabetes are not just beneficiaries of this initiative; they are integral to shaping its success,” said Nupur Lalvani, Founder and Director of Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation and person living with T1D. “By involving individuals with lived experience, ALIGN-T1D ensures that the solutions developed are not only practical and meaningful, but also truly life-changing for those who need them most.”
“True progress in diabetes care happens when the voices of those directly affected are not only heard but have an active role in shaping solutions,” said Tinotenda Dzikiti, Global Diabetes Advocate and person living with T1D. “ALIGN-T1D’s commitment to authentic community engagement from the onset means building bridges between patients, families, and decision-makers, ensuring the strategy reflects real needs and aspirations.”
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About Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF
As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better while driving toward cures. We do this by investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with government to address issues that impact the T1D community, and helping educate and empower individuals facing this condition.
About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has granted more than $4.6 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. The Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program is the largest private foundation funder in the world with a focus on T1D, with more than $1 billion to date granted to transform the trajectory of the disease and to accelerate access to 21st century care, everywhere. For more information on Helmsley and its programs, visit helmsleytrust.org.
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Contacts
Casey Fielder, 509-651-0087, media@BreakthroughT1D.org
Alison Carley, Communications Officer, acarley@helmsleytrust.org
