Is there ? generic zyban uk The drug alefacept suppresses the actions of a specific set of immune system cells, called T-cells, which in type 1 diabetes, are involved in attacking the insulin producing cells. Alefacept is already approved in the US for treating psoriasis â another auto-immune condition that affects the skin. The researchers wanted to test whether alefacept might stop T-cells from attacking the insulin producing cells and therefore stabilise insulin production in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.