Novo Nordisk has officially ended its work in cell therapy, including a project that aimed to create insulin-producing cells for people with Type 1 diabetes. The decision is part of a larger company-wide restructuring under its new CEO, who’s cutting costs and refocusing on the company’s most profitable areas. About 9,000 jobs will be cut around the world, including nearly all 250 employees who worked in the cell therapy division.

On paper, it’s a business decision. Novo says it wants to simplify operations and focus where it can make the biggest impact. But in reality, for the diabetes community, this one hits hard. Cell therapy is one of the few areas that feels like it could move us closer to a real cure, not just another treatment.

Novo’s research was still in early stages, testing ways to turn stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells. They hadn’t reached human trials yet, but it was a sign that a major player was still investing in the “cure” side of the conversation.

When the news broke, people across the diabetes community reacted almost immediately. Reddit threads filled with anger, frustration, and disappointment like the comment below. Many felt like it confirmed what they already suspected, that when the money gets tight, cure research is the first thing to go.

That comment captured the feeling for a lot of people, the sense that companies built on the backs of the diabetes community are now prioritizing profit over progress.

It’s easy to feel disheartened by this, especially when every step toward a cure already feels so slow. But this isn’t the end of cell therapy research. Other biotech companies and academic labs are still moving forward with promising work, like Sernova’s search for a diabetes cure and Vertex’s ongoing trials using lab-grown islet cells. Progress is still happening, even if it’s not coming from the biggest players.

So yes, this hurts. It’s frustrating to see a door close on something that held so much hope. But the drive for a cure is bigger than one company, and it’s not going away. Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us how you’re feeling about Novo Nordisk’s decision and what gives you hope for the future of Type 1 diabetes research.