UAE health authorities approve Sanofi’s Tzield for broader use in type 1 diabetes

UAE—Sanofi has announced that the UAE health authorities have approved expanded indications for its immunomodulatory therapy for Type 1 diabetes, marking a major advancement in the management of the autoimmune condition affecting children, adolescents, and adults.

The approval expands the use of the therapy to delay the onset of Stage 3 Type 1 diabetes in children as young as one year old.

It also enables the treatment to delay the decline of the body’s own insulin production in children and adolescents aged eight to 17 years who have recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 Type 1 diabetes.

The decision strengthens the UAE’s position as a regional leader in adopting innovative healthcare solutions and introduces new possibilities for earlier intervention in Type 1 diabetes care.

Traditionally, treatment has focused on managing symptoms after the disease becomes clinically apparent.

However, this therapy represents a shift towards identifying and addressing the autoimmune process earlier in the disease journey.

Shifting Type 1 diabetes care towards early intervention

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, reducing the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels.

Although insulin therapy remains essential and life-saving for people living with the condition, disease-modifying approaches aim to preserve remaining beta cell function and delay disease progression.

Sanofi’s newly expanded indication provides healthcare professionals with an opportunity to intervene earlier, potentially extending the period before full disease progression occurs.

The approach reflects growing efforts in diabetes care to move beyond managing symptoms and towards proactive strategies that target the underlying causes of the disease.

Commenting on the approval, Lama Saleh, General Manager of Greater Gulf, General Medicines at Sanofi, said the milestone represents a significant step forward for Type 1 diabetes care in the UAE.

She added that the approval highlights the country’s commitment to bringing scientific advancements closer to patients and families while supporting more proactive approaches to managing chronic diseases.

“Sanofi is proud to contribute to this important shift in Type 1 diabetes care,” Saleh said, noting that the company is working with healthcare professionals to establish a new standard of care focused on anticipating disease progression, protecting beta cell function, and improving outcomes for patients and their families.

UAE strengthens role in innovative healthcare adoption

The approval builds on the UAE’s advanced healthcare infrastructure and its efforts to accelerate access to emerging medical innovations.

By expanding the availability of disease-modifying treatment options, healthcare providers can better support earlier diagnosis, intervention, and personalised management of Type 1 diabetes.

Sanofi said the expanded approval will help strengthen the country’s ability to implement proactive care models that focus on intervening earlier in the disease process and improving the long-term management of Type 1 diabetes.