About Us
About Us
Who We Are
Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI) is a non-profit organization and center of excellence with a mission to improve the lives of people impacted by diabetes through research, education, and clinical care.
Industry-Preferred Partner: SDRI is a preferred site for clinical trials, a testament to our exceptional research capabilities and commitment to advancing diabetes care. On average, SDRI conducts 25+ research studies annually engaging approximately 750 subjects each year. Current industry partners include Abbott, Dexcom, Insulet, Lilly, Mannkind, Medtronic Diabetes, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Tandem Diabetes Care.
Unparalleled Expertise: SDRI has a robust team of 32 full-time and 70 part-time staff members who are highly respected for their ethical practices, accelerated recruitment efforts, and rigorous safety measures. With low turnover and high retention, SDRI ensures stability and continuity in clinical research.
Trusted Reputation: SDRI has earned the highest ratings from independent charity evaluators, Candid and Charity Navigator, reflecting our dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and transparency in all aspects of our work.
In 2023, Our Accomplishments
Our History
Innovative Research.
Inspiring Hope.
SDRI proudly celebrated the 100th anniversary of our founder, Dr. Sansum being the first U.S. physician to manufacture and administer insulin in the treatment of diabetes.
Dr. Sansum was driven to develop the hormone made by pancreatic secretions missing in those living with type 1 diabetes. In 1922, Dr. Sansum administered the first dose of insulin to Charles Cowan, a terminally ill farmer battling diabetes. Due to this critical medical intervention, Cowan lived to be 90 years old.
When news spread of Dr. Sansum’s discovery, patients from all over the country flocked to Santa Barbara seeking his lifegiving insulin. This ultimately led Dr. Sansum to establish Sansum Diabetes Research Institute in 1944 to further groundbreaking work in diabetes research.
By the 2000s, physician investigators made seminal contributions to the development of the artificial pancreas, a medical device that revolutionized diabetes management by continuously monitoring blood sugar levels and delivering precise doses of insulin to maintain glucose control.
Today, the heart of SDRI’s mission has remained unchanged: to advance critical research initiatives to improve the health and quality of life for the millions of individuals who live with any form of diabetes.
Contact
Temporary Location
5425 Hollister Ave, Suite 230
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Phone: 805-682-7638
Fax: 805-682-3332
Patient Care: 805-682-4793
Tax ID # 95-1684086
