The Changing Landscape of Diabetes Research
Diabetes affects millions of people in the UK, and the vast majority of cases are type 2. For years, managing blood sugar has revolved around self-monitoring with traditional finger-prick testing. But a wave of trials is now testing whether newer technologies and treatments can do better.
One of the most talked-about results came from the FreeDM2 trial, led by Dr Emma Wilmot from the University of Nottingham and Dr Lala Leelarathna from Imperial College London. The study followed 303 adults with type 2 diabetes who were using basal insulin across 24 clinical sites in the UK. Half were given a real-time continuous glucose monitor (CGM), while the other half stuck with finger-prick testing. After four months, the CGM group showed a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c, and they spent around two and a half more hours per day in a healthy glucose range. Participants described the technology as "life-changing," and the findings were published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology in 2026.
Meanwhile, researchers are also testing whether automated insulin delivery systems, once reserved for type 1 diabetes, could help people with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. A randomised trial reported in the New England Journal of Medicine compared automated insulin delivery against standard insulin methods, with both groups using continuous glucose monitoring. Early results suggest these systems may simplify day-to-day management for the right candidates.
Why Trials Matter for Everyday Life
Behind the academic papers are real practical questions. Many people with type 2 diabetes struggle with the daily routine of balancing food, activity and medication. A trial like FreeDM2 matters because it tested the technology in real-world NHS settings, not just in specialist centres. It asked a straightforward question: can people make better decisions when they can see their glucose levels in near real-time?
The findings also raised an important access issue. CGM has already transformed care for type 1 diabetes and is considered standard treatment in many parts of the UK. For type 2 diabetes, its role has been less certain, which has historically limited availability. This study provides evidence to support expanding access for people using basal insulin, a change that could reduce the endless round of finger-prick tests for thousands of patients.
What Options Are Being Tested Now
The UK is running trials across several fronts, each tackling a different part of the diabetes journey:
Weight and remission approaches. The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, a joint initiative between NHS England and Diabetes UK, has been rolling out across England. Based on research showing that a three-month specially formulated soup and shake diet, followed by healthy lifestyle support, helped people lose over 10 kilograms and improve glucose levels, the programme has helped around half of participants put their type 2 diabetes into remission. Eligibility typically covers adults aged 18 to 65, diagnosed within the last six years, with a BMI over a set threshold.
New medication studies. Industry-sponsored trials continue to recruit across UK cities. One ongoing study is comparing a new compound against placebo in people with type 2 diabetes who are already on a stable dose of semaglutide or tirzepatide, with sites in Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol and Newcastle. Another real-world study is evaluating tirzepatide in adults with obesity but without diabetes, looking at weight loss and prevention of type 2 diabetes, with recruitment across multiple GP surgeries in Greater Manchester.
Monitoring in primary care. A trial sponsored by Dexcom, registered with ISRCTN in 2026, is assessing how continuous glucose monitoring works when started and managed in routine primary care settings across the UK and Republic of Ireland. This matters because most diabetes care in the UK happens in GP practices, not hospitals. If CGM proves workable there, access could widen considerably.
Lifestyle and diet research. Smaller academic studies are also underway. Researchers at the University of Birmingham are recruiting adults aged 70 to 90 with type 2 diabetes to test whether pre-meal protein drinks improve blood sugar control. At Oxford Brookes University, researchers are studying whether beetroot juice can improve cardiovascular responses and recovery after exercise in people aged 40 to 65 with type 2 diabetes.
A Closer Look at the Main Approaches
To help you weigh up the options, here is a comparison of the approaches currently generating the most attention in UK trials:
| Approach | Example in the UK | Typical Setting | Who It May Suit | Key Benefits | Points to Consider |
|---|
| Continuous glucose monitoring | FreeDM2 trial, Abbott FreeStyle Libre | NHS clinics, primary care | People with type 2 on basal insulin | Fewer finger pricks, more time in range | Availability varies by area |
| Automated insulin delivery | 2IQP-style trials | Specialist centres | Insulin-treated patients wanting automation | Reduces daily decision load | Suitability depends on individual factors |
| Diet-led remission | NHS Path to Remission Programme | Community programmes | Adults recently diagnosed, higher BMI | Weight loss, possible remission | Requires commitment to meal replacement |
| New injectable medications | Tirzepatide real-world studies | GP surgeries, research units | People with obesity or type 2 diabetes | Significant weight and glucose effects | Side effects need monitoring |
| Exercise and nutrition studies | University trials on protein drinks, beetroot juice | Academic research centres | Older adults, active patients | Low-cost, practical interventions | Early-stage evidence |
How to Get Involved in a UK Diabetes Trial
If you are curious about taking part, the process is more straightforward than many people expect. Participation is voluntary, and you are never locked in once a study starts.
Start by having a conversation with your GP or diabetes specialist. They can point you toward relevant trials and confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria. Many studies need people with specific characteristics, such as a particular age range, treatment type or duration of diagnosis, so an honest discussion with your care team is the fastest route.
Next, browse the national registries. The UK Clinical Trials Gateway and the ISRCTN registry list ongoing studies in plain English, including what is involved and where sites are located. Diabetes UK also runs a dedicated research involvement page, where scientists post opportunities and you can register your interest without committing to anything. Joining such a list means you will be told when a relevant trial is happening near where you live.
Check locally, too. NHS trusts across the country, from Bradford Teaching Hospitals to University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, run their own research centres. The NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centre network was established in 2025 specifically to expand access to commercial clinical trials across the regions, including studies on weight loss, blood sugar control and overall health.
Finally, ask questions before you sign anything. Find out how long the study lasts, how many visits are involved, whether any travel is covered, and what happens with your normal medication. A well-run trial will give you a clear patient information sheet and plenty of time to decide.
The Path Forward
The direction of travel in UK diabetes research is clear: more people managing type 2 diabetes are being given tools that were once reserved for specialist care. Whether it is a sensor on your arm that replaces the finger-prick routine, a structured diet programme aimed at remission, or a new medication studied in a trial, the common thread is that research is moving out of the lab and into everyday life.
For anyone living with diabetes, the most practical step is to stay informed about what is available in your area. Ask your care team about monitoring options at your next review, and check the Diabetes UK research pages if you want to explore taking part in a study. Every trial participant adds to the evidence that shapes future NHS care, and the findings being published now are already changing how diabetes is managed across the country.
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