Despite algorithmic advancements and technology developments, a “cure” for type 1 diabetes has always felt just out of reach. For years, we’ve heard a cure will be here in 5 to 10 years… However, Katie Beth Hand, or rather patient 9 from the Eledon Trial, is living it. Katie Beth received an islet cell transplant at the University of Chicago in January 2026 and has been living life entirely insulin-free. Six months into her post-transplant life, Katie Beth came on the podcast to describe herself as functionally cured or “undiabetic.”

The Eledon trial transplanted cadaveric islet cells into 12 participants who then take a non-traditional immunosuppressant, Tegoprubart, every 21 days. Tegoprubart, or Tego as Katie Beth calls it, is different from other immunosuppressants as it targets specific immune pathways rather than suppressing the entire immune system. Katie Beth says she has experiences virtually no side effects and hasn’t had to change her day-to-day life to manage or avoid them.

Listen to the podcast above or check out the video below to hear Katie Beth’s candid experience with trial enrollment, the procedure, the expectations, and what it’s like to let go of lingering diabetes habits that were part of her day-to-day just a few months ago. This one gets emotional, you don’t want to miss it.

Watch this episode early and ad-free below with Diabetech All Access.

The episode will become available to everyone Monday morning on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Youtube.