Cell Replacement Therapy for Diabetes

Invention A novel source of surrogate insulin producing beta cells has been developed. Genetic and epigenetic manipulations are employed to induce differentiation of a number of human progenitor cell types into mature, functional beta cells for treatment of diabetes.
The Need Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, which results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic islet beta cells, afflicts about 1 in 200 people. Treatment of type 1 diabetes by insulin administration can not prevent the long-term complications of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is 10-fold more prevalent, and its incidence is sharply rising. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, coupled with insufficient compensation in insulin secretion from beta cells. Type 2 diabetes may be managed by strict diet and exercise, and treatment with drugs that increase insulin secretion and target cell sensitivity to insulin. About 40% of type 2 diabetes patients, however, eventually require large amounts of exogenous insulin. Expansion of the beta-cell mass by transplantation may avoid the need for exogenous insulin.
Potential Applications Beta cell transplantation for Type 1 and 2 diabetes therapy
Advantages o Unlimited beta cell source

o The method is applicable to progenitor cells from a variety of sources
Stage The cells are infected with lentivirus vectors carrying conditionally-regulated transcription factors involved in endocrine pancreas development, as well as a gene to extend cell proliferation capacity. The differentiated cells generated by these treatments express beta-cell genes, produce insulin and secrete insulin in a regulated manner.
Patent Pending Tech Transfer Officer Ms. Irit Ben-Chlouch Office: +972-3-6406601 Fax: +972-3-6406675 Mail: [email protected]

Inventor(s): Shimon Efrat

Type of Offer: Licensing



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