Islet Transplant Breakthrough: Tegoprubart Shows Promise as Immunosuppression Alternative

Islet cell transplantation—in which insulin-producing cells are transferred into people with Type 1 diabetes—has shown potential to reduce or eliminate the need for insulin injections. However, the procedure requires immunosuppressive medications to prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted cells. Researchers are now exploring alternatives to standard immunosuppressants that may be safer or more effective.

Tegoprubart, developed by T1D Fund company Eledon, represents one such alternative. The drug was tested in a Breakthrough T1D-funded clinical trial presented by Dr. Piotr Witkowski of the University of Chicago at the inaugural Breakthrough T1D Clinical & Research Congress, held in Philadelphia in October 2026.

The trial enrolled 12 participants who received islet cell transplants and were treated with tegoprubart for immunosuppression. Seven participants achieved insulin independence after a single transplant, while five required two transplants but also became insulin-independent. All 12 maintained stable blood sugar levels throughout the trial period.

Importantly, no participants experienced the side effects or kidney toxicity sometimes associated with standard immunosuppressive medications, suggesting tegoprubart may offer a safer profile for transplant recipients.

While these early results are encouraging, tegoprubart remains under investigation. Researchers are planning additional clinical trials to further evaluate the drug's safety and effectiveness. The findings presented at CRC 2026 represent an important step toward expanding treatment options for people with Type 1 diabetes who are candidates for islet cell transplantation.

Origin: breakthrought1d.org (News report). Evidence: News report — unverified, pending corroboration. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.