On November 14, World Diabetes Day 2025 arrives with a call to understand how diabetes affects people across every stage of life. The theme for this year, “Diabetes across life stages,” highlights the need for integrated care that supports children, adolescents, adults and older individuals.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) adds an important dimension this year by focusing on the workplace and employee well-being. According to IDF statistics, 589 million adults live with diabetes, and seven in 10 are of working age.
Many people face stress and stigma at work, leading to mental health strain, burnout and reduced disclosure about their condition. Their campaign encourages employers to build environments where people with diabetes feel safe to manage their health without fear or limitations.
In November, the WHO released its first global guidelines on diabetes during pregnancy, recognizing the condition’s impact on 21 million pregnancies each year. When blood glucose is not well managed, the risks increase for pre-eclampsia, stillbirth and birth injuries, with long-term cardiometabolic consequences for both mother and child.
The new recommendations outline individualized nutrition and activity guidance, closer glucose monitoring and clear medication pathways for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. They also underline the need for antenatal services with equitable access to essential medicines, technology and multidisciplinary care.
Scientific Advances This Year
Starting with label expansions, Ozempic (semaglutide) can now be used to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, based on the FLOW kidney outcomes trial.
New Phase III data from Bayer’s FINE-ONE trial reported that finerenone (Kerendia) reduced urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in adults with type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Albuminuria is a key marker for kidney and cardiovascular complications, and the six-month findings reinforce the need for ongoing innovation in kidney health.
Daily management tools continue to evolve as well. Tandem reported that its insulin delivery portfolio will soon include Android support for the Tandem Mobi mobile app, expected to begin limited release in December 2025. This expands smartphone compatibility for users of automated insulin delivery systems built around Control-IQ+ technology.
In parallel, Welldoc launched an AI Lab to advance personalized cardiometabolic support across its digital health platform, reflecting how behavioral insights and sensor data are shaping next-generation tools for long-term disease management.
Diabetes complications remain a critical challenge. New developments aim to reduce the risk of limb loss. The FDA cleared Rapid Nexus’ Hemastyl gel device to support healing in chronic, non-closing wounds by restoring the periwound tissue environment needed for repair.
Vertex shared updated data on zimislecel, its investigational stem-cell–derived islet cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. In the small study, most participants reached guideline-recommended glucose targets, and many no longer needed insulin after one year. Enrollment in the Phase 1/2/3 program is now complete, and the company is conducting an internal manufacturing review before final dosing.
Earlier intervention in type 1 diabetes also saw progress this year. The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion, meaning the treatment can move to the next regulatory step, for Sanofi’s Teizeild (teplizumab) to delay the onset of stage 3 disease in people with stage 2 type 1 diabetes. The decision is based on data showing a longer time to clinical diagnosis compared to placebo.
The momentum behind diabetes care continues to grow, across research, technology, policy and advocacy, reflected in World Diabetes Day 2025.
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