ADA 2025 Recap: 7 Trials to Know

The 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions held June 20–24 in Chicago spotlighted an expanding vision for diabetes and metabolic care that stretches beyond traditional glucose control. This year’s research emphasized regenerative approaches, hormonal targeting, and alternative insulin delivery—all pushing the field toward more individualized, physiology-informed interventions.

Among the highlights were pivotal data from trials evaluating stem cell-derived therapies for type 1 diabetes, cortisol-modulating strategies for hard-to-treat type 2 diabetes, and a novel once-weekly insulin alternative that matches daily injections in efficacy. Studies also examined the clinical potential of preserving lean mass during weight loss, signaling a growing emphasis on metabolic quality—not just quantity—of treatment outcomes.

Check out our study recaps below and use the related content links for expert perspectives direct from the conference floor!

7 Trials to Know From ADA 2025

1. Zimislecel Enables Insulin Independence in 10 Participants with Type 1 Diabetes
The Phase 1/2 trial evaluated stem cell-derived islet therapy zimislecel (VX-880) in 12 participants with type 1 diabetes. At one year, 10 of 12 participants who received the full dose achieved insulin independence. Participants also maintained HbA1c <7% and spent more than 70% of time in the target glucose range without experiencing severe hypoglycemia.

2. ACHIEVE-1: Oral GLP-1 Agonist Orforglipron Shows Strong HbA1c, Weight Reductions In Lilly’s ACHIEVE‑1 Phase 3 trial of oral orforglipron, participants achieved A1c reductions of 1.24–1.48% across doses and weight loss ranging from 4.5% to 7.6% by week 40, significantly outperforming placebo. At week 40, mean A1C levels across the orforglipron groups ranged from 6.5% to 6.7%, which investigators purport indicates substantial glycemic control. The regimen was well‑tolerated, with mild-to-moderate GI side effects and no severe hypoglycemia or liver safety concerns.

3. BELIEVE: Bimagrumab + Semaglutide Combo Yields Substantial Fat-Mass Weight Loss, Preserves Lean Mass
The Phase 2 BELIEVE trial randomized 507 participants to receive bimagrumab plus semaglutide or semaglutide alone for 48 weeks. The combination therapy resulted in a 22.1% decrease in body weight, with 92.8% of weight loss from fat mass. Bimagrumab alone did slightly outperform the combination on weight loss from fat mass (100%) and total lean mass (+2.5%) but fell behind on other measures. Overall, fat mass reduction with bimagrumab was similar to with semaglutide alone, with minimal change in caloric intake.

4. Once-Monthly Obesity Drug, MariTide, Achieves Weight Loss Up to 16% at 1 Year Amgen’s Phase 2 study presented at ADA 2025 showed that monthly MariTide led to 12%–16% average weight loss in adults with obesity and 8.4%–12% in those with T2D over 52 weeks. Impressively, participants continued to lose weight throughout the study with no plateau observed, suggesting potential for further reduction. The drug also produced notable improvements in cardiometabolic markers, including reductions in HbA1c, blood pressure, and lipids, with a tolerable GI side‑effect profile; most AEs were mild to moderate.

5. CATALYST Trial: Mifepristone Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes with Hypercortisolism
Part 2 of the randomized, double-blind CATALYST trial included 136 patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercortisolism. At 24 weeks, use of mifepristone was associated with a least squares mean (LSM) difference from placebo in HbA1c was -1.3% (95% CI, -1.81 to -0.83; P <.001). Secondary outcome analysis suggested use was associated with reductions in body weight (LSM, -5.12 kg; 95% CI, -8.20 to -2.03) and waist circumference (LSM, -5.1 cm; 95% CI, -8.23 to -1.99) relative to placebo therapy.

6. QWINT-1: Weekly Insulin Efsitora Matches Daily Basal Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes
The QWINT-1 trial randomized 795 insulin-naïve adults with type 2 diabetes to receive once-weekly insulin efsitora or once-daily insulin glargine. At week 52, there was an estimated between-group difference of −0.03 percentage points (95% CI, -0.18 to 0.12) with noninferiority. Additionally, the mean total weekly insulin use was 289.1 units per week with efsitora alfa and 332.8 units per week with daily basal insulin (estimated between-group difference, -43.7 units per week; 95% CI, -62.4 to -25.0).

7. ADA 2025: CagriSema Demonstrates Dual Benefit in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Data from the REDEFINE program highlighted that combined CagriSema therapy resulted in mean weight loss of 20.4% over 68 weeks in non-T2D adults (REDEFINE‑1) and 13.7% in those with T2D (REDEFINE‑2), significantly exceeding outcomes seen with either component alone or placebo. The combination also achieved improvements in glycemic control and metabolic biomarkers, while maintaining a safety profile consistent with GLP‑1 and amylin therapies.

Related Content: Diabetes Dialogue: REDEFINE 1 and REDEFINE 2, with Timothy Garvey, MD, and Melanie Davies, MD