Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The diabetes research institute foundation funds basic, pre-clinical and patient-based research studies, including clinical studies, several of which are simultaneously underway at the diabetes research institute (dri) and other collaborating research facilities. Support from the diabetes research institute foundation has enabled the introduction of affinity groups at the dri, a new strategic tool to accelerate the future of type 1 diabetes research. These groups are designed to foster collaboration, encourage innovative thinking and streamline problem-solving. Through these new affinity groups, experts and specialists across disciplines, including surgeons, engineers, immunologists, chemists and endocrinologists, come together to focus on three critical areas: immunology/immune modulation, devices to support islet transplantation and insulin-producing beta cell robustness and augmentation. In the area of immunology, drif has funded dri research projects that focus on establishing immune tolerance and reversing autoimmunity, the body's destruction of the insulin-producing cells which causes the onset of the disease. One such study involves the monoclonal antibody at-1501 which was tested in preclinical models, leading to long-term graft survival in both islet and kidney transplants, confirming its immunosuppressive potential. Another exciting study involves the use of "liponano clusters" which provide continuous delivery of anti-inflammatory compounds to transplanted insulin-producing cells, reducing inflammation and protecting these cells from being attacked by the immune system. In the area of devices, drif-funded researchers are focused on refining strategies for hiding and protecting insulin-producing cells from the attack by the immune system with the use of encapsulation and housing devices for cells. Dri researchers are advancing conformal coating technology combined with the cell pouch system to protect islet cells. Dri researchers are also working to develop the immunosuppression-free vascularized device for islet transplantation (vadit), an innovative approach that integrates a vascularized device with a tissue-based drug delivery system to enable islet transplantation without the need for lifelong immunosuppression. Additionally, dri scientists are studying patented fasl technology, combining a synthetic form of the protein fasl with a special microgel to safely protect transplanted islets and induce local immune tolerance. Another major research area that drif supports is the development of an unlimited supply of insulin-producing cells. Drif-funded studies have led to significant progress in stimulating the regeneration of pancreatic stem cells into insulin-producing cells using a single fda-approved molecule, bmp-7. This significant finding opens the door to a natural cell supply bank within the patient's body, addressing several ongoing challenges for curing the disease. The drif has funded international researcher training and key collaborative programs that help accelerate research progress through the sharing of ideas and advancements. Drif also hosts and participates in a variety of informational workshops for people with diabetes and their families focusing on the latest advances toward a cure and the newest diabetes management techniques. Through its website diabetesresearch.org, the drif provides 'news you can use research updates for those living with diabetes and their family members in the form of e-newsletters, videos, email announcements and information via social media.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 75.8%; rating input score 76
• Program expense ratio: 64.1%; rating input score 64
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.66 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.4%; rating input score 94; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -15.1%; rating input score 7; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.03; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.07; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.8%; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1% per year; rating input score 100; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.4% per year; rating input score 100; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0% per year; rating input score 100; 10th percentile among comparable filings