Stockholm, Sweden — Diamyd Medical, a biotech company specializing in precision medicine for diabetes, announced a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance early detection of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) using artificial intelligence. The company is advancing its AI-powered screening platform as part of the EU-backed ASSET (A Stratified Solution for Early Stage Type 1 Diabetes) project, aiming to shift the paradigm of T1D diagnosis and prevention.
The ASSET project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, brings together a consortium of leading academic, clinical, and industrial partners to develop tools for identifying individuals at high risk for T1D earlier than ever before. Diamyd Medical’s contribution focuses on integrating AI algorithms with immunological and genetic markers to predict disease onset with greater accuracy.
“We are moving towards a world where Type 1 Diabetes can be predicted before symptoms even occur,” said Ulf Hannelius, CEO of Diamyd Medical. “Our AI screening technology will enable healthcare systems to identify at-risk individuals and intervene earlier, potentially delaying or preventing disease progression.”
Type 1 Diabetes, an autoimmune disease affecting more than 8.7 million people globally according to the International Diabetes Federation, often goes undetected until significant pancreatic damage has occurred. Traditional risk assessments, based largely on family history or basic antibody tests, fall short of pinpointing the broader population at risk.
Diamyd Medical’s platform leverages AI to analyze vast datasets, including genetic predispositions, immune profiles, and environmental factors, to stratify individuals by risk level. The AI models are trained to recognize subtle patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed by conventional screening methods.
The ASSET project is a collaborative effort that includes leading European universities, research institutes, and companies working together to develop cost-effective and scalable early intervention tools. Diamyd Medical’s AI platform is currently being piloted within clinical cohorts across several European countries, where early findings have shown promising predictive capabilities.
“AI enhances our ability to identify subgroups of patients who may benefit from targeted interventions, clinical trials, or immunotherapies,” said Dr. Ezio Bonifacio, a prominent diabetes researcher involved in ASSET. “Early detection is crucial for advancing therapies aimed at halting or preventing beta-cell destruction.”
Beyond early detection, Diamyd Medical’s technology is expected to play a crucial role in matching patients to tailored treatments. As part of its broader pipeline, the company is also developing Diamyd®, an antigen-specific immunotherapy currently in late-stage clinical trials.
The ASSET project underscores a growing trend: applying AI to autoimmune disease management, where complex datasets can reveal actionable insights. According to a 2024 report by MarketsandMarkets, the AI in healthcare market is projected to reach $102.7 billion by 2028, with diagnostics and risk prediction as key drivers.
Diamyd Medical plans to expand its AI screening platform to more European populations over the next two years, with the ultimate goal of securing regulatory approvals for clinical use. The company also aims to integrate real-world data into its models to improve prediction accuracy and clinical utility.
“AI is giving us new tools to reimagine how we approach diseases like Type 1 Diabetes,” Hannelius added. “It’s not just about treating the disease—it’s about stopping it before it starts.”
