Breakthrough T1D

Breakthrough T1D

Breakthrough T1D originated in 1970 as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Aaron Kowalski serves as CEO while Lisa F. Wallack chairs the international board. The entity functions as a global nonprofit that channels donor capital exclusively into Type 1 diabetes cure research and related advocacy. The foundation allocates across private equity and venture holdings through the T1D Fund established in 2016. Confirmed positions include Sernova Corp, Glooko, Aspect Biosystems, Encellin, DiogenX, Egle Therapeutics, and Inversago Pharma. Public equity exposure covers Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and SAB Biotherapeutics following acquisitions of earlier portfolio companies. Geographic reach centers on North America with additional activity in Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. Capital deploys via direct company investments and strategic partnerships rather than fund commitments. The organization reports 335 million USD in disclosed assets. It maintains a New York headquarters, a London office, short-term operating reserves of 178 million USD, and a cryptocurrency donation portfolio custodied by The Giving Block. The T1D Fund operates from Boston. March 2025 marked sponsorship of the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit in Union, New Jersey, covering research, mental health, and technology topics. Service providers include Ernst & Young as auditor and JPMorgan Chase as commercial bank. Breakthrough T1D separates its grant-making foundation from the T1D Fund equity vehicle to accommodate both philanthropic distributions and venture returns. Co-investors such as the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and the Bukhman Foundation participate alongside the entity in selected research initiatives. This dual structure allows the organization to retain corporate partners including Vertex Pharmaceuticals while directing proceeds back into additional cure-focused programs.