Embodiments of the present invention provide for novel therapies, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for insulin independence utilizing a new optimized hamster Reg3 gamma peptide, which is new to the art and has not previously been considered for development in the 30 year history since its discovery. Methods, pharmaceutical compositions and therapies novel to the prior art are utilized in this invention to render patients with recent onset and existing type 1 diabetes insulin independent by an optimized hamster Reg3 gamma peptide and an immune tolerance agent for type 1 patients to become insulin independent and used alone without an immune tolerance agent for type 2 diabetes. While not wishing to be bound by theory, optimized Reg3 gamma peptides increases beta cell generation by its demonstrated properties shown within of transforming ductal pancreatic cells into new islets.