On June 20, 2025, Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced results from its ongoing VX-880 clinical trial, which uses its investigational stem cell-derived islet cell therapy named zimislecel.
Zimislecel was dosed to 12 participants in October of 2024. Today, 10 out of 12 participants are insulin-free. All 12 participants have achieved A1Cs below 7 percent with more than 70 percent time-in-range.
More about VX-880: While using Vertex’s cell-based therapy to produce insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, VX-880 relies on immunosuppression. It is intended for people who experience frequent and severe hypoglycemic events.
In the VX-880 trial, the stem cells were delivered via infusion into the patient’s hepatic portal vein — which carries blood through several organs, including the pancreas.
Ginger Vieira has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1999 along with a few other chronic illnesses! She is the Cofounder of the Diabetes Nerd Network and the Diabetes Nerd Marketing agency. Ginger has authored hundreds of articles and several books, including Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes, Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes, Dealing with Diabetes Burnout, and Stop Overeating During Lows. Over her 20-year career (so far) in diabetes, she’s produced hundreds of articles and videos about life with diabetes. Her background includes a Bachelor of Science in professional writing and certifications in coaching, personal training, powerlifting, and Ashtanga yoga.