Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease characterized by loss of insulin-producing cells due to autoimmunity. While there have been improvements in disease management through automated insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, current standards of care remain insufficient. Only 25% of T1D patients achieve the A1c levels, a correlate of blood glucose, recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Insufficient maintenance of blood sugar levels can lead to many long-term complications including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, neuropathy, and retinopathy. This contributes to an estimated 10-year shorter lifespan for T1D patients.

Early signs of a functional cure through cell replacement therapy, where insulin-producing cells are implanted into patients, are demonstrating promise. However, these approaches require patients to be on lifelong toxic anti-rejection drugs, much like organ transplants, which limits access to this treatment to only a handful of patients and leaves patients with an increased risk of infections and cancer.