The American Diabetes Association's 86th Scientific Sessions took place June 5–8, 2026. It was a remarkable conference in a remarkable year for type 1 diabetes research. But one announcement stood out.

Twelve Patients. All Off Insulin.

Researchers working with Eledon Pharmaceuticals announced updated data from an investigator-initiated islet transplant trial at UChicago Medicine. Twelve patients with type 1 diabetes received islet transplants and were treated with tegoprubart, an immune-suppressing drug designed to prevent rejection without the harsh side effects of traditional immunosuppressants.

As of June 7, 2026, all twelve participants showed rapid improvement in glycemic control following transplantation — and all twelve are now off external insulin entirely.

Let that sink in: every single patient in the trial is living without insulin injections.

What Is an Islet Transplant?

The islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells in the pancreas that include the insulin-producing beta cells that T1D destroys. Islet transplantation takes these cells from a donor pancreas and infuses them into the patient — effectively giving the recipient a new supply of functioning beta cells.

The procedure has worked before. The challenge has always been that the immune system attacks the transplanted cells, just as it attacked the original ones. Patients have historically needed powerful immunosuppressant drugs with significant side effects.

Why Tegoprubart Is Different

Tegoprubart is designed to selectively modulate the immune response — blocking the rejection pathway without the broad suppression that leads to infection risk and other complications of traditional immunosuppression. The goal is a more targeted shield for the transplanted cells.

Twelve patients off insulin is a small but striking proof of concept. It suggests this combination — improved donor cells, plus tegoprubart's selective immunosuppression — may be solving a problem that has stalled islet transplantation for years.

Early Detection Was Also a Major Theme at ADA 2026

On a different front, ADA 2026 featured major presentations on early T1D screening. A fully remote genetic screening program has made the entire process possible from home. A separate multicenter initiative embedded T1D screening into routine pediatric clinic visits. One program screened more than 1,700 people with zero cases of DKA — and 73% of those who qualified were offered Tzield.

The future of T1D is being built on two parallel tracks: better management for those living with the disease today, and earlier detection and intervention to soften the blow of diagnosis for those who will face it tomorrow.

Both tracks had a very good week.

Keywords: ADA 2026 type 1 diabetes, islet transplant tegoprubart off insulin, type 1 diabetes cure breakthrough, ADA Scientific Sessions 2026, T1D islet transplant results