Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported promising data from its investigational stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes at the ADA conference, with 10 of 12 participants achieving insulin independence a year post-infusion. The therapy, zimislecel (formerly VX-880), utilizes lab-grown stem cell-derived islet cells designed to restore endogenous insulin production. Longitudinal monitoring revealed maintained glycemic control and absence of severe hypoglycemia after 12 months, marking a critical milestone towards an off-the-shelf cellular intervention for diabetes management and potential paradigm shift in treatment.