Vale Professor Helen Thomas
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Professor Helen Thomas, an outstanding medical researcher whose work in type 1 diabetes made a significant impact. Helen founded Effica Biolabs, a St Vincent’s Institute service offering pre-clinical testing of new therapies for type 1 diabetes, as well as leading the preclinical activities of ATIC alongside sister Ranjeny Thomas.
What does ATIC do?
ATIC is working across six distinct interconnected Domains to ensure maximum impact and fulfil our bold vision.
Clinical trials
Drive the implementation of immunotherapy clinical trials throughout Australia and New Zealand
Community engagement
Work closely with the type 1 diabetes community across the research cycle, from trial development through recruitment to communication of...
Data management
Harmonise data collection and ensure linkage with national and international diabetes networks.
Education and training
Train, equip and update clinicians, scientists and the wider community on the fundamentals of immunotherapy, as well as the latest...
Preclinical and translation
Attract immunotherapy trials to Australasia through innovation: the discovery of improved biomarkers, development of new therapies, and facilitation of biosample...
Regulation and government
Advocate for regulatory approval and government funding of immunotherapy treatments for type 1 diabetes.
Baricitinib delays the progression of type 1 diabetes
In a world-first, ATIC researchers lead by Professor’s Thomas Kay and Helen Thomas have shown that baricitinib, an immunotherapy treatment commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis, can delay the progression of type 1 diabetes and preserve the body’s ability to make its own insulin.
ASITI-201 – New clinical trial now open
November 2024
The Princess Alexandra Hospital and University of Queensland are now seeking people aged 18-55 years who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within the last 5 years, for a new clinical trial of two disease-modifying medications rituximab-pvvr and abatacept, called T1D RELAY.
Clues to how T cell tolerance prevents T1D progression revelated through clinical trials
November 2024
Seminar 21, Beyond Insulin Seminar Series – Dr Alice Long presents ‘Clues to how T cell tolerance prevents T1D progression revelated through clinical trials’
Antigen-specific Tregs to treat autoimmune diseases
October 2024
Seminar 20, Beyond Insulin Seminar Series – A/Prof Joshua Ooi presents ‘Antigen-specific Tregs to treat autoimmune diseases’.
ATIC Position statement: Use of baricitinib to treat type 1 diabetes
August 2024
The ATIC community engagement panel and steering committee have supported the preparation of a position statement on the use of off-label baricitnib.
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