The European research project EDENT1FI has reached an important intermediate stage: Of the planned more than 200,000 children and adolescents, 100,000 have already been examined for early stages of type 1 diabetes. Screening is currently underway at a rate of about 6,500 participants per month.

EDENT1FI, coordinated by Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler (Helmholtz Munich) and Prof. Chantal Mathieu (KU Leuven), started in 2023 with the aim of establishing nationwide screening and monitoring programs for presymptomatic type 1 diabetes in Europe. The project builds on the successful Fr1da study in Bavaria and has rebuilt programmes in the Czech Republic, Poland and Portugal, as well as strengthened existing initiatives in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden.

Despite different health systems and screening settings – from primary care to hospitals and schools to home visits – it was possible to harmonize the detection of islet autoantibodies, standardize data collection and set up central laboratories with comprehensive quality control. Only a few drops of blood are required for the test.

Early detection of autoimmune activity enables continuous monitoring, timely interventions and avoidance of life-threatening metabolic derailments in the event of a delay in diagnosis. Affected children and families receive comprehensive counselling, follow-up examinations and information on possible early therapies.

The importance of screening has further increased with the European approval of teplizumab in January 2026 for children aged eight years and older with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes (stage 2). The immunomodulating agent can delay the onset of the disease. Other disease-modifying therapies are in clinical trials.

EDENT1FI comprises 27 partners from academia, industry and non-profit organisations in 13 European countries. The project is funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) as part of Horizon Europe and receives additional support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, Breakthrough T1D and other partners.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.