August 20, 2026
Of 654 type 1 diabetes-focused clinical trials active today, only twelve have the potential to become a Practical Cure for T1D—2% of all trials. This number has remained largely unchanged in the past fourteen years that JDCA has been tracking the data. The persistent low ratio is one of the most sobering facts in T1D research.
A key point to note is that multiple clinical trials may be testing the same research approach but with different testing parameters. A single research project often spans multiple clinical trials, testing the same therapy in different populations.
To have ‘Practical Cure potential,’ the research must meet the community-defined requirements of a T1D Practical Cure. In most cases, it means the project addresses both cell supply and cell protection without significant side effects.
The projects below are exploring tactics to (1) deliver a cell supply solution by replenishing the body’s ability to produce insulin via islet transplantation or beta cell regeneration, and (2) protect those cells from the immune system through gene editing, encapsulation, or immunomodulation. They are being tested on people with fully established T1D (>1 year from diagnosis), with a chance to be on the market within fifteen years, and do not include broad-spectrum immunosuppression.
These research projects are the most advanced today. To reach human clinical trials, they have all demonstrated sufficient safety and efficacy in animal models to justify the next step of testing. Since they are the most advanced, if they are successful, these are the projects that have the best chance of becoming a Practical Cure within the next fifteen years and are worth our attention.
In addition, many other clinical trials and preclinical studies are tackling one part of the Practical Cure equation. These projects are testing only cell supply or protection solutions and are not yet developed enough to put all the pieces into a full Practical Cure. However, down the road, we expect that many will combine for a full solution, and we hope to see many more full Practical Cure projects in the years ahead.
This report identifies the projects active in clinical trials that are pursuing a Practical Cure. It does not comment on or provide an opinion on the comparative quality of these projects. JDCA will let the official trial results speak for themselves.
Continuing Practical Cure Trials
Few changes have occurred since JDCA’s 2025 Practical Cure review, updated in the annual State of the Cure for Type 1 Diabetes. This is the first year since 2021 without any new additions to the Practical Cure list.
Last year, there were thirteen clinical trials across eleven projects. One of those trials was terminated, while the rest continue today. The twelve trials are depicted in the infographics below. Note that one project, BCG, has three active trials, while all others have one.
Reported Updates to Active Trials
UP421: Sana Biotechnology
- The latest results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 10, reported that the transplanted cells continued to survive and produce insulin at fourteen months post-procedure. Note: Only one patient was enrolled in the trial.
- The company stated that no new patients will be recruited and the trial has entered a long-term follow-up phase.
- Sana plans to initiate a new trial to test these same edits using stem cell-derived beta cells as early as this year.
OPF-310: Otsuka Pharmaceutical
- The first patient, who has lived with T1D for 25 years, self-reported six-month progress in an interview with Diabetech.
- Insulin production was nearly halved, from 45 units per day to 25.
- As of today, no official results have been peer-reviewed or published.
BCG: Mass General / Faustman Laboratory
- Long-term results from one of the three active trials (NCT02081326) were presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 86th Scientific Sessions.
- Results among adults diagnosed in childhood (N=34) showed a reduction in HbA1c and an 184% improvement in time in range.
- Results among LADA (N=68) did not show a reduction in HbA1c but may prevent insulin resistance.
Upcoming Data Release
Umbilical T Cells Plus Liraglutide: Second Xiangya Hospital
- Results will be published in 2027, according to JDCA communications with Haibo Yu, Principal Investigator of the trial.
OPERA: Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center
- Results will be publicly available in Q2 of 2027, according to JDCA communications with Dr. Yandy Marx, Principal Investigator.
Terminated Trial
Since last year, one project and its related trial were terminated.
CTX-211: CRISPR Therapeutics
- The phase I trial tested CTX-211, an islet transplantation product with two modes of protection: gene-edited pancreatic cells and an encapsulation device.
- CRISPR has not replied to JDCA inquiries regarding why the trial was terminated.
- CRISPR did not release interim results, though claimed data showed “detectable C-peptide levels 12 months after transplantation,” leading to a next-generation, deviceless product: CTX213.
Anticipated (New) Trials in the Next 12 Months
While many researchers are working on at least one aspect of a Practical Cure for T1D, two projects have publicly stated they intend to start clinical trials within the next twelve months that could be a full Practical Cure.
Sana Biotechnology: SC451
SC451 is an evolution from UP421, utilizing the same gene-editing techniques but with stem cell-derived beta cells instead of donor islets, a more sustainable cell source. The most notable factor at play is the dosage: UP421’s goal was to see if islets could be protected from the immune system, transplanting only 5% of what the body needs to fully regulate blood sugar. SC451 intends to test a full dosage with universal O-negative cells, opening the possibility of full insulin independence for a wide range of patients.
KRIYA Therapeutics: KRIYA-839
KRIYA-839’s first-in-human trial is set to begin this year, according to several news sources, following program highlights at the ATTD 2026 conference. The PROGRESS study will test KRIYA-839, an AAV-based gene therapy that hopes to turn a person’s own thigh muscle into a glucose-sensing insulin factory.
Recruiting Clinical Trials
United States:
- Denosumab: (NCT06524960)
- OPF-310: (NCT06575426)
- OPT-101 (NCT06964087)
Egypt: Autologous MSCs (NCT06951074)
If you are interested in participating in clinical trial research, click the button below to visit the T1D Exchange Registry.
The T1D Exchange Registry is a valuable service to the community where you can opt in for information about clinical trials and see if you qualify to participate.
