Milan Hosts EASD Congress 2026
The 62nd annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes returned to Milan after an 18-year absence, drawing more than 15,000 participants to address a fundamental shift in diabetes care. The conference, running from September 29 to October 2, highlights a transition toward early intervention focused on cardio-nefro-epato-metabolic health, according to coverage by Daily Health.
To evaluate individual cardiometabolic risk, specialists at the Milan congress emphasized tracking core parameters. According to corriere.it, the European Society of Cardiology, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the European Association for the Study of Obesity launched the “Know your numbers” campaign during the event to encourage regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and weight across Europe.
Multi-Agonists and Amylin Combinations Drive New Clinical Milestones
Incretin-based therapies, dual agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors have moved from secondary options to first-line recommendations administered at diagnosis, often alongside or replacing metformin. noted that experimental multi-agonists and amylin combinations are driving new clinical milestones.
Phase 3 and phase 2b trials showcased at EASD 2026 evaluated dual mechanisms pairing GLP-1 agents with amylin analogs. The REIMAGINE-1 trial, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology in 2026 and cited by Daily Health, tested CagriSema—a combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide—in 189 adults with type 2 diabetes over 40 weeks. Patients receiving the 2.4 mg dose experienced a reduction in glycated hemoglobin of 1.8 percentage points, compared to just 0.1 points for the placebo group. A larger 68-week trial involving 2,713 participants further confirmed the efficacy of the combination over monotherapy.
Immunomodulatory Therapy Delays Type 1 Diabetes Onset
Clinical advancements extended to type 1 diabetes at the Milan gathering, where researchers focused on pre-clinical intervention. By administering immunomodulatory therapy before the immune system completes the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, specialists successfully delayed the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes by approximately two years in at-risk individuals.
Complementing therapeutic trials, the EDENT1FI screening study presented at the congress evaluated over 140,000 children across eight European countries, including Italy, to detect the condition before symptoms appear. reported that among 4,507 children screened in Milan, early-stage disease was identified in five children without family history and at higher rates among those with a first-degree relative affected by type 1 diabetes, proving that pediatric screening is practically achievable.
Public Health Initiatives and Lifestyle Integration in Milan
Beyond the convention center, pharmaceutical company Lilly engaged the public through “Connecting to Cardiometabolic Health,” an installation in Piazza Tre Torri designed by artist Marco Oggian, featuring interactive talks, running clubs, and cooking classes. detailed that the initiative coincided with the company’s 150th anniversary, tracing its history back to Eli Lilly producing insulin on an industrial scale in Indianapolis. Additionally, a 5-kilometer marathon organized during the congress by Team Novo promoted physical activity as an effective tool for managing blood glucose, featuring remarks from co-founder Phil Southerland as reported by Adnkronos.
Frequently Asked Questions About EASD 2026
What specific biomarkers define individual cardiometabolic risk at EASD 2026?
The “Know your numbers” campaign encourages the regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and weight.
How effective was the CagriSema combination in clinical trials presented at the congress?
In a 40-week trial involving adults with type 2 diabetes, the 2.4 mg dose of CagriSema reduced glycated hemoglobin by 1.8 percentage points, compared to a 0.1-point reduction for the placebo group, according to data published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
What were the findings of the EDENT1FI pediatric screening study shared in Milan?
The study screened over 140,000 children across eight countries, including 4,507 children tested locally in Milan, demonstrating that early screening can reliably identify early-stage type 1 diabetes before symptoms emerge.
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