Edmonton Protocol

ADI Director's Message

Peter Senior

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to this momentous two day event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Edmonton Protocol. Today, we reflect on a quarter-century of innovation, dedication, and profound impact on the lives of individuals living with type 1 diabetes across Canada and around the globe.

The success of the Edmonton Protocol is a testament to the power of collaborative effort. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the brilliant minds and tireless efforts of our researchers and clinicians, whose unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical science made this breakthrough possible. Their dedication transformed an ambitious vision into a tangible reality. We also extend our sincere thanks to the funding bodies* whose crucial support fueled this pioneering work, and to the provincial government and Alberta Health Services, whose strategic vision and robust infrastructure provided the essential environment for such groundbreaking research to flourish.

25th Anniversary Celebration

In 2000, the publication of the Edmonton Protocol (EP) provided proof of concept for a treatment for diabetes beyond insulin replacement. This remarkable milestone helped achieve what was thought to be impossible: Type 1 diabetes patients becoming insulin-independent.

The recent 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Edmonton Protocol on June 4-5, 2025 hosted by the ADI was a great success with more than 160 attendees, including more than 50 islet transplant recipients – three of whom were from the original group of seven.

On Wednesday, June 4, a public event brought together islet transplant recipients, individuals affected by diabetes, researchers, industry professionals, philanthropists and dignitaries. Following opening remarks, Dr. Bernhard Hering, Dr. James Shapiro and Dr. Ray Rajotte, led an interactive discussion with the audience and answered questions about advancements in islet cell replacement therapies.

On Thursday, June 5, a one-day scientific symposium supported by The Gairdner Foundation explored three key themes: Beta Cell Replacement Therapy, Autoimmunity and Inflammation and Islet Cell Biology.

Program

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Video Content

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Sponsors

We thank our sponsors for their support in making this event possible.

Past News

Sweet success: world’s largest islet transplant program celebrates 20 years of changing lives for people with diabetes

James Shapiro leads the team that developed the revolutionary Edmonton Protocol for islet cell transplants, which has proven successful in improving quality of life for people with hard-to-control diabetes over the last 20 years.

Man in a lab working with equipment
Sweet success: world's largest islet transplant program celebrates 20 years of changing lives for people with diabetes (photo: John Ulan)

Edmonton Protocol team reports long-term results showing the treatment is safe and reliable for helping people with hard-to-control diabetes stabilize their blood sugar. Gillian Rutherford - 19 May 2022

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History of a diabetes breakthrough

"In the summer of 2000, a global spotlight shone momentarily on Edmonton. A small team of University of Alberta researchers had done what, until then had been impossible, helping patients with Type 1 diabetes become insulin-independent at an unprecedented success rate of 100 per cent. Termed the "Edmonton Protocol," the procedure became a ray of hope for those suffering from diabetes worldwide."

artistic graphic of hands and coloured curves
History of a diabetes breakthrough

Twenty years ago, U of A scientists transformed Edmonton into the world's leading light in the quest to cure Type 1 diabetes. Now they're at it again.  Ross Neitz - 27 May 2020

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The past, present and bright future of a diabetes breakthrough

"Isolating the insulin-producing islets posed a major challenge. If donor islets could somehow be isolated, it was postulated that they could be injected into the liver. There, the islets would become revascularized and perform their duties as usual, away from the besieged pancreas, the site where a diabetic's immune system inexplicably attacks healthy islets. With any luck, such a transplant-accompanied by a proper anti-rejection drug regimen-could allow a Type 1 diabetic to be free of insulin injections."

Ray Rajotte and James Shapiro
The past, present and bright future of a diabetes breakthrough

Sixteen years ago, UAlberta scientists transformed Edmonton into the world's leading light in the quest to cure Type 1 diabetes. Now they're at it again. Ross Neitz - 14 November 2016

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The New England Journal of Medicine

In July 2000, Dr. James Shapiro and colleagues published their seminal paper on the Edmonton Protocol in The New England Journal of Medicine 

Shapiro et al. Islet transplantation in seven patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus using a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen. July 27, 2000: NEJM 343:230-238.