HCPLive Five at ADA Scientific Sessions 2025

The 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, held June 20–23 in Chicago, reflected a shifting paradigm in diabetes care prioritizing comprehensive approaches to glucose management, cardiometabolic health, and patient-centered outcomes. This year’s meeting featured a diverse slate of groundbreaking research spanning automated insulin delivery, weekly insulin alternatives, and novel interventions tackling unique drivers of glycemic dysregulation.

Among the most talked-about data were CIRCUIT trial findings on automated insulin delivery systems improving time-in-range during pregnancy; the QWINT program’s demonstration that once-weekly insulin efsitora alfa can effectively replace daily basal insulin; and evidence supporting prediabetes remission as a superior goal to weight loss for type 2 diabetes prevention. Additional highlights included the CATALYST trial’s success with mifepristone in hypercortisolism-related diabetes and the STRIDE trial’s new insights into semaglutide’s effects on walking capacity and disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease.

Hybrid Closed Loop Insulin Improves Time in Range for T1D During Pregnancy, with Lois Donovan, MD, and Denice Feig, MD, MSc

The CIRCUIT trial compared an automated insulin delivery (AID) system using Control-IQ technology to standard care in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, presented at ADA 2025 by Lois Donovan, MD, and Denice Feig, MD. Participants using the hybrid closed-loop system achieved a 12.6% (95% CI, 9.9–15.2; P <.001) higher time in range during pregnancy (TIRp) compared with standard care (65.4% vs. 50.3%). Additionally, the AID group had 11.4% (95% CI, 8.6–14.2; P <.001) less time above range, 1.04% (95% CI, 0.6–1.48; P <.001) less time below 63 mg/dL, and a mean glucose 11.2 mg/dL lower than standard care (95% CI, 7.2–16.2; P <.001).

Once-Weekly Insulin Efsitora a Practical Option for Type 2 Diabetes, with Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD

The QWINT-3 phase 3 trial investigated weekly insulin efsitora alfa versus daily insulin degludec in patients with type 2 diabetes switching from basal insulin, presented at ADA 2025 by Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD. Weekly efsitora injections were non-inferior to daily degludec for glycemic control, supporting its potential as a practical alternative. Philis-Tsimikas noted the findings suggest switching to weekly insulin could substantially reduce treatment burden for patients.

Glycemic Control Trumps Weight Loss for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, with Arvid Sandforth, MD

A prediabetes lifestyle intervention study presented by Arvid Sandforth, MD, at ADA 2025 showed achieving normal glycemia, regardless of weight change, provided the same protective effect against developing type 2 diabetes. Participants achieving glycemic remission experienced significantly reduced T2D incidence even if they maintained or gained weight, compared to those who did not normalize glycemia. The multicenter German study highlighted that while weight loss remains a powerful tool, achieving glycemic control should be prioritized as the primary prevention target.

Diabetes Dialogue: CATALYST Trial, Mifepristone, and Hypercortisolism in T2D, with John Buse, MD, PhD

The phase 4 CATALYST trial enrolled 1055 adults with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c >7.5% despite optimized therapy, screening for hypercortisolism using dexamethasone suppression testing, which identified a 24% prevalence (95% CI, 21.4–26.7%). In part 2, 136 patients with confirmed hypercortisolism were randomized 2:1 to mifepristone or placebo for 24 weeks, with mifepristone reducing HbA1c by 1.3 percentage points versus placebo (95% CI, –1.81 to –0.83; P <.001). Secondary outcomes showed reductions of 5.12 kg in body weight (95% CI, –8.20 to –2.03) and 5.1 cm in waist circumference (95% CI, –8.23 to –1.99) relative to placebo.

New Data Supports Protective Vascular Effects of Semaglutide in T2D and PAD, with Subodh Verma, MD, PhD

The STRIDE trial randomized 792 adults with T2D and PAD to semaglutide (n=396) or placebo (n=396) for 52 weeks, presented by Subodh Verma, MD, PhD, at ADA 2025. Patients receiving semaglutide showed a median baseline-adjusted maximum walking distance ratio of 1.21 compared with 1.08 for placebo. Semaglutide also reduced the risk of a composite disease progression endpoint—including death, major adverse limb events, or rescue medication use—by 54% relative to placebo.

These 5 represent only some of the data the HCPLive team covered at this year's meeting! Check out more KOL insight and our full conference coverage on our ADA page.