The ADA 85th Scientific Sessions were held in Chicago, between June 20-23, 2025. The conference convened 11,000 professionals with an emphasis on three pillars: obesity therapeutics, beta-cell regeneration, and equitable health. Some landmark events included actor Anthony Anderson’s keynote on diabetes advocacy, the Innovation Challenge for emerging diabetes tech start-ups, and real-world data forums like T1D exchange’s 13 presentations. The core takeaway from the sessions was the rapid evolution of GLP-1 therapies and their forays into mitigating complications like kidney disease. The sessions highlighted not only the scientific breakthroughs but also the importance of collaboration and continued advocacy in improving patient care. Let’s explore some major highlights.
| Topic |
Key Points |
| Zimislecel Efficacy in T1D |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Phase ½ FORWARD TRIAL: 83% of 12 adults with long-standing T1D became insulin-independent after one infusion. 92% reduction in exogenous insulin use. All met ADA glycemic targets. |
| Novo Nordisk’s Once-Weekly Insulin (Icodec) |
ONWARDS 1-5 trials showed consistent A1C reductions with once-weekly icodec, reducing treatment burden for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients compared to daily basal insulin. |
| Eli Lilly’s Oral Orpoglipron |
Phase 3 ACHIEVE-1 trial showed oral orpoglipron reduced A1C by up to 2.1% and caused 10.1 kg weight loss in T2D patients. Its oral formulation aids adherence. |
| T1D Exchange's Equitable CGM Adoption |
Data from 20,000+ T2D patients showed CGM use improved time-in-range despite socioeconomic barriers. Focused on making CGM more accessible to underserved populations. |
| Novo Nordisk’s Amycretin for Obesity |
Amycretin, a GLP-1/amylin agonist, led to 13.1% weight loss in 12 weeks for obesity patients, outpacing semaglutide. This dual mechanism drug promises better metabolic outcomes. |
| Diabeloop’s AI-Based AID System |
DBLG1 automated insulin delivery system showed improved glycemic control and prediction during physical activity through integration of heart rate and step-count data. |
Zimislecel Shows Landmark Efficacy in High-Risk T1D Patients
Vertex Pharmaceuticals revealed startling 12-month data from its Phase ½ FORWARD TRIAL for Zimislecel. This is an investigational stem-cell derived islet-cell therapy. The study enrolled 12 adults with long-standing type-1 diabetes, the mean duration being 22 years. These patients had severe hypoglycemia coupled with low awareness of the condition, putting them at immense risk of life-threatening complications. The therapy has shown unprecedented efficacy; 10 out 12 patients (83%) became insulin independent after only a single infusion. Also, their daily exogenous insulin use underwent a 92% mean reduction.
Every single patient met ADA glycemic targets (HbA1c <7% and greater than 70% time-in-range which is about 70-180mg/dl) and not one severe hypoglycemic event was reported after 90 days. The researchers confirmed durable engraftment via sustained glucose-responsive C-peptide production, which is undetectable at baseline, signaling natural restoration of insulin production. These monumental findings were published simultaneously at the New England Journal of Medicine, describing in detail, the first consistent restoration of physiologic islet function in T1D using allogeneic stem cell therapy.
Novo Nordisk’s Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec for Type 2 Diabetes
Novo Nordisk presented pooled analysis from the ONWARDS 1-5 trials, Posters 816P, 822P, and 819P, which compared the efficacy of once weekly Icodec versus daily basal insulins in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Insulin icodec is a basal insulin analogue that provides enough coverage for a full week with just one subcutaneous injection. The clinical studies have demonstrated consistent A1C reductions across distinct patient subgroups which includes variations in baseline BMI, the duration of Diabetes, and A1C levels. This reinforces icodec’s capability to reduce treatment burden with fewer doses. This responds effectively to a fundamental complexity in insulin dependent Type 2 Diabetes management. The positions icodec as a viable alternative to conventional daily insulin regimens, underlining is role in effectively simplifying long-term glycemic control.
Eli Lilly’s Oral Orpoglipron for Type 2 Diabetes
Eli Lilly unveiled Phase 3 results from the ACHIEVE-1 trial for orpoglipron, an investigational oral non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist. In adults with poor T2D control, despite exercise and diet modulation, orpoglipron, achieved significant A1C reductions, up to 2.1%, and weight loss, up to 10.1 kgs over 26 weeks. Its oral formulation offers flexibility unlike injectable GLP-1 agonists, it can be taken without food or water restrictions, thereby, strengthening adherence. Safety data aligns with known GLP-1 side effects, which include mild to moderate gastrointestinal events primarily. Such therapies could expand access to GLP-1 benefits for patients who don’t handle infections well.
Novo Nordisk’s Amycretin, a GLP-1/Amylin Agonist for Obesity
Novo Nordisk’s new unimolecular GLP-1/amylin receptor agonist, Amycretin was presented the conference. Participants with obesity experienced 13.1% mean weight loss at 12 weeks, far exceeding standalone GLP-1 therapies like semaglutide. This dual mechanism enhances post-prandial glucose control and appetite suppression with no new safety signals beyond the expected GI effects. Amycretin’s efficacy underlines the promise of multi-hormone therapies for superior metabolic outcomes and positions it as a next-generation obesity treatment.
Diabeloop’s AI-Based AID System for Type 1 Diabetes
Their DBLG1 automated insulin delivery (AID) system was presented by Diabeloop in two posters. One study analyzed 11,200 adults with T1D, revealing dynamic adjustment of insulin sensitivity factors (ISF) based on real-time glucose levels optimized glycemic control. Yet another investigation used heart rate and step-count data from 561 users to improve glucose prediction algorithms during physical activity, a substantial hurdle in AID systems. Their work helps emphasize how physiological and contextual data, enhances personalization, thereby advancing smart closed-loop technology beyond carbohydrate counting.
T1D Exchange’s Equitable CGM Adoption in Type 2 Diabetes
T1D elucidated strategies to increase continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) usage among T2D patients on GLP-1 therapy. Analyzing data from 20,000+ patients in their registry, the study identified barriers like cost disparities, provider unfamiliarity, and equitable access. It was proof that CGM improved time-in-range (TIR), regardless of socioeconomic status especially when implemented with clinical level support, for instance standardizing prescribing protocols and patient education. The findings speak for systemic changes to improve the accessibility of diabetes technology, particularly for underserved populations, in alignment with ADA’s health equity initiatives.
GLP-1 Agonists and SGLT2 Inhibitors: Headlining the Future of Diabetes Care
The National Diabetes Statistics Report by the CDC reveals that approximately 15.8% of U.S. adults aged 20 and older have diabetes, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Of this group, 11.3% have been diagnosed with diabetes, while 4.5% remain undiagnosed. Among adults aged 60 and older, the prevalence of diabetes rises to 27.3%, with 6.8% undiagnosed. Additionally, 24.2% of adults with obesity are affected by diabetes, with 7.9% of them undiagnosed. The 85th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association not only reinforced the organization’s 85-year legacy of bridging the gap between clinical research and real-world practice, but also laid the groundwork for groundbreaking advances that will shape the future of diabetes care.
As the conference wrapped up, it was evident that the rapid pace of innovation—ranging from new therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors alongside efforts to promote equitable healthcare—will continue to shape the future of diabetes treatment. According to Expert Market Research estimates, the global glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.20% during the forecast period of 2025-2034, with the values likely to reach USD 52.03 billion by 2034. The ADA’s commitment to fostering collaboration, pushing scientific boundaries, and advocating for better health outcomes remains at the heart of its mission as it drives the diabetes community toward a healthier, more equitable future.