Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen

At Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, clinical research in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related metabolic disorders focuses on improving day-to-day glucose control, preserving insulin production, and testing new ways to reduce complications. These studies also look at rare forms such as MODY and post-bariatric hypoglycaemia, with the goal of refining treatment for people with complex metabolic needs.

• Preserving beta cell function and endogenous insulin secretion in early type 1 diabetes
• Testing new approaches for obesity, overweight, and weight-related metabolic risk
• Evaluating treatments for hypoglycaemia, including post-bariatric and exercise-related episodes
• Improving glucose management in MODY and other atypical diabetes subtypes

Much of this work aims to make treatment more personalized, safer, and more effective for people living with long-term metabolic disease.

The site is also active in research on cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and heart-related complications in people with diabetes or obesity. These trials are designed to test whether newer treatments can lower cardiovascular risk, prevent heart failure, and improve vascular health in patients already facing elevated risk.

• Reducing risk in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and high-risk populations
• Preventing heart failure and related cardiovascular events
• Studying blood pressure control in people with hypertension and kidney disease
• Exploring how metabolic therapies may improve coronary plaque and vascular function

Several studies focus on whether targeted therapies can better protect the heart while also supporting kidney and metabolic health.

Research at the Herlev site includes complications of diabetes that affect the nerves and bones, especially painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, and acute Charcot foot. The main purpose is to find better ways to ease symptoms, protect function, and slow disease-related damage.

• Testing treatments for neuropathic pain in people with diabetes
• Studying early nerve damage linked to type 2 diabetes
• Evaluating care for Charcot neuroarthropathy and related foot complications
• Looking for therapies that may preserve nerve and musculoskeletal health over time

This area combines symptom relief with prevention, aiming to reduce disability and improve quality of life.

Some trials focus on glucose regulation during exercise and other everyday situations in type 1 diabetes. These studies examine practical ways to prevent hypoglycaemia while supporting more flexible and safer diabetes management for active individuals.

• Preventing exercise-related drops in blood glucose
• Supporting people using automated insulin delivery
• Testing small, targeted interventions to improve glucose stability
• Improving safety in physically active patients with type 1 diabetes

The research is aimed at making diabetes care more adaptable to real-life routines, including meals, exercise, and daily activity.

A major part of the clinical portfolio addresses chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, and albuminuria in people with diabetes and hypertension. The trials are designed to slow kidney decline, reduce urinary protein loss, and identify better treatment strategies for patients at risk of progressive kidney damage.

• Testing therapies to slow CKD progression
• Reducing albuminuria and protecting kidney function in diabetes
• Exploring combined kidney- and heart-protective treatment approaches
• Using biomarkers and urinary proteomics to guide more personalized care

These studies reflect a strong focus on early intervention and long-term preservation of kidney health.

Some of the research at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen uses biomarkers, imaging, and other clinical measures to better understand disease activity and treatment response. The goal is to improve prediction, personalize therapy, and identify which patients are most likely to benefit from additional intervention.

• Developing biomarker-guided treatment strategies
• Assessing urinary protein patterns to predict complications
• Measuring changes in insulin secretion, inflammation, and fibrosis
• Improving early identification of patients at risk of organ damage

This work supports a more precise approach to diabetes and kidney care by linking biological signals with clinical decision-making.