Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

Episode: In the News... Islet cell transplants update, implantable insulin pump moves forward, Olympics monitored GLP-1s and more!
Host: Stacey Simms
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This “In the News” episode of Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms presents an engaging roundup of current developments in diabetes research and technology. Stacey highlights cutting-edge advances in islet cell transplantation, new tech in insulin delivery and glucose monitoring, pivotal studies on diabetes prevention and management, and notable policy and sports news impacting the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. The episode is fast-paced, educational, and geared toward people with T1D, their families, and healthcare professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Promising Research on Functional Cure for Type 1 Diabetes

[04:30 – 08:15]

• Stanford Medicine’s Immune System Reset Study
  • Researchers performed a dual transplant of blood stem cells and pancreatic islet cells from a non-matching donor.
  • This approach were able to restore insulin production and retrain the immune system—without immune-suppressing drugs.
  • Challenges: Islet cells must be sourced from deceased donors; blood stem cells must come from the same individual as the islets.
  • Future Directions: Lab-generated islet cells and improving donor-cell function/survival.
  • Quote: “Very promising. Very, very early.” — Stacey Simms [05:35]
• Electronic Implants with Islet Cells
  • Engineers (University of Pennsylvania & Harvard) used a “soft electronics” mesh to monitor and influence pancreatic islet cells via electrical pulses, helping cells behave more like functioning islets.
  • Early research, with ongoing challenges around immune protection.
• Eladon's Islet Rejection Drug Update
  • Six patients off insulin after transplant with Eladon’s drug.
  • Patient Katie Beth Hand now sharing her experience online: “She says she is off basal insulin already and in range 99% of the time.” — Stacey [07:05]
• The Islet Act: Legislative Push
  • Advocates seek to reclassify islet cell transplants from “drug” to “organ,” which would ease access and insurance reimbursement (cost: ~$140,000/patient).
  • Bill was sent to Senate committee in Nov 2025, awaiting further action.

2. Device and Therapeutic Updates

[08:16 – 16:15]

A. Medication Delivery Innovation

• Zepbound (Obesity Drug) Multidose Quick Pen
  • Now available as a month’s supply in one pen, via Lillydirect; previously only single-use devices.
  • Tied to increasing accessibility and patient convenience.
  • Quote: “The QuickPen is already used for other drugs such as Lilly’s diabetes medication Mounjaro. It’s the same medication as Zepbound... both Tirzepatide.” — Stacey [09:30]

B. Hypoxistat: High-Altitude Inspiration for Diabetes Treatment

• Researchers discovered that low-oxygen (high elevation) environments lower diabetes risk; red blood cells absorb more glucose.
• A new medication, Hypoxistat, mimics these effects and “completely reversed high blood sugar and outperformed existing treatments” in mice ([10:10]).

C. Implantable Insulin Pump (Portal Diabetes)

• Portal Diabetes receives FDA Breakthrough Device designation for its implantable pump and temp-stable insulin.
  • Works with “modern CGM technology... a fully closed loop” ([11:15]).
  • Not first in US—Minimed’s pump had 100 US users before company changes.
  • Trials expected to begin late 2027.
  • Quote: “Portal system is the very first in the U.S., but there was an implantable pump developed... by Minimed. Medtronic bought the company in 2007… There are reports people are still using it.” — Stacey [12:05]

D. Eversense CGM & Twist Pump Integration

• Sequel MedTech & Sensonics: Eversense 365 (implantable CGM, 1 year under skin) now fully integrated with the Twist pump, and Freestyle Libre 3 Plus.
  • Company is working toward making “the whole system implantable.” ([13:15])

3. Policy & Coverage Developments

[16:16 – 18:05]

• Dexcom CGM: Awaiting expanded Medicare coverage for type 2s not on insulin.
  • ADA guidelines now support CGM for those on other glucose-lowering meds.
• Medtronic: Ongoing separation of Minimed; submitted next pump, Minimed Flex, (smaller, same reservoirs/infusion sets) to FDA.
  • Trials started for third-gen automated delivery algorithm (Vivera).
  • Planning to submit Minimed Fit Patch pump to FDA by fall.

4. Research on Genetics, Diet, and Prevention

[18:06 – 19:22]

• BMI & Growth Patterns
  • UK study finds BMI at age 10 and growth rate between 1–18 are critical in predicting later diabetes, cholesterol, and heart disease risk ([18:30]).
• Low-Fat Vegan Diet & Insulin Use
  • Study in BMC Nutrition: Plant-based, low-fat, no calorie/carb restriction reduced insulin requirements for type 1s by 28%.
  • Improvements also seen in cholesterol and kidney function.
  • Quote: “Cholesterol levels and kidney function also improved among those following the plant-based plans.” — Stacey [19:10]

5. Sports & Drug Monitoring News: Olympics Watch GLP-1s

[19:23 – 20:00]

• Winter Olympics: World Anti-Doping Agency monitored GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide), though not banned yet.
• Future recommendations will consider usage patterns; ban possible by 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On new research hope:
  • “Very promising. Very, very early.” — Stacey Simms [05:35]
• On Eladon’s patient advocate:
  • “She says she’s off basal insulin already and in-range 99% of the time.” — Stacey [07:05]
• On Portal’s implantable system:
  • “Portal system is the very first in the U.S., but… there are reports people are still using [the Minimed implantable pump].” — Stacey [12:05]
• On the plant-based diet impact:
  • “Cholesterol levels and kidney function also improved among those following the plant-based plans.” — Stacey [19:10]

Timestamps to Key Segments

• 04:30 – Intro to islet cell transplants, Stanford study
• 05:36 – Electronic islet cell implants
• 06:35 – Eladon’s drug, patient stories, The Islet Act
• 08:16 – Zepbound multidose, LillyDirect
• 10:10 – Hypoxistat and red blood cell glucose absorption
• 11:15 – Portal Diabetes implantable pump news
• 13:15 – Eversense/Twist compatibility & CGM advances
• 16:16 – Dexcom Medicare coverage updates
• 17:30 – Medtronic Minimed, Flex, and Vivera pipeline
• 18:30 – Genetics and BMI study
• 19:00 – Low-fat vegan diet study
• 19:23 – Olympics and WADA GLP-1 drug monitoring

Episode Tone & Closing

Stacey delivers updates in her trademark blend of clarity, warmth, and advocacy, with personal anecdotes and encouragement to stay involved and informed:

"I really would like to hear from you. You can always reach out stacey@diabetes-connections.com… Until then, be kind to yourself." — Stacey Simms [End]

For resources, links, and transcripts:
Visit diabetes-connections.com