A Step Forward: Two Patients Achieve Insulin Independence in Novel T1D Transplant Trial

Good news doesn’t always make the front pages, but this week there’s cause for genuine hope in the T1D world.

What happened

Eledon Pharmaceuticals (in collaboration with UChicago Medicine) announced that two participants in their pilot clinical study of a novel immunosuppressant-plus-islet-cell-transplant treatment have achieved insulin independence and stable glucose control.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

The treatment involves transplanting insulin-producing islet cells into individuals with T1D, and pairing that with an experimental immunosuppressant drug (Tegoprubart, formerly AT-1501) instead of the standard immunosuppressant therapies which carry heavier side-effect burdens.

In the first two of three subjects so far reported, the patients became insulin-free: one achieved that milestone after one transplant, another after two. Their glucose levels remained in the normal range without the need for injected insulin.

While the study is small and still early, the fact that this was done without the more toxic standard immunosuppressant regimen is significant. Tegoprubart may represent a safer approach.

Why this matters for the T1D community

If you live with T1D (as many of us connected to ThriveWithT1D do), this news hits on several levels:

Proof of concept: For a very small number of people, the idea of not having to inject insulin daily—or rely on it as heavily—is no longer fantasy.

Safer immunosuppression = broader access: One of the big limiting factors in islet transplants has been how hard it is to suppress the immune system without causing other issues. A gentler drug opens the door for more people, more treatments.

Momentum for research: These results help build the case and energy for larger trials. Once trials scale, things like eligibility, cost, and access become more realistic.

Hope + realistic caution: It’s not “cure now”, but it’s a meaningful milestone on the path toward a cure or much lighter disease burden.

What to keep in mind

Because I keep things real, here’s what we should also be cautious about:

Small sample size. Two patients achieving this outcome is impressive—but it’s not “proof for all yet”. More people need to replicate this success.

Long-term safety unknown. We don’t yet know how durable the insulin independence will be, or what long-term side effects might occur.

Cost/complexity. Islet transplants are still complex, expensive, and not widely accessible. Work remains on scaling and making them equitable.

Who it applies to. Some transplants are only viable for people who meet specific criteria (age, disease duration, severity). So it’s not an immediate solution for everyone living with T1D.

Why we at ThriveWithType1 can and should celebrate

At ThriveWithType1, our mission is to empower, inform, and inspire people living with T1D — not just to survive, but to thrive. This news checks those boxes:

It gives hope, which matters: one element of thriving is belief that progress is real, and that the horizon is moving.

It gives information: knowing about new therapies helps our community ask better questions, engage with doctors, and advocate for access.

It gives inspiration: when we see real progress, we’re reminded that we’re part of a community living through change. That invites strength, resilience, and optimism.

What you can do this week

Talk to your endocrinologist or T1D-care team about what new therapies you’re aware of—ask if trials are happening locally or how you can stay informed about emerging treatments.

Share this story with your T1D community (friends, online groups, coworkers) — reminding people that progress is happening keeps energy high and isolation low.

Take one small step toward “thriving” that isn’t medical: maybe try something fun you’ve been postponing (a new workout, a group meet-up, a creative project) — because thriving is about more than glucose numbers.

Stay informed: bookmark reliable sources (e.g., American Diabetes Association, clinical trial registries) and set a reminder to check in monthly for new updates.

In short: yes, the road ahead still has twists, turns, and unknowns. But today we get to smile a little louder, because a tangible step forward for the T1D world landed this week. And for everyone in the ThriveWithType1 community, that matters.