Patent ID: 8377429

Claim:
A method for improvement of beta cell function in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject one or more doses of an anti-IL-1β antibody or fragment thereof, wherein said improvement in beta cell function is enhanced insulin secretion, wherein said subject has been diagnosed with a disease or condition selected from the group consisting of Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance, decreased insulin production, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, and wherein said antibody or fragment thereof (i) comprises a light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 2, or (ii) binds to human IL-1β with a dissociation constant less than 1 pM, and said antibody or fragment thereof competes with the binding of an antibody comprising the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 1 and the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 2.