Novocell Leading Type-1 Diabetes Stem Cell Research (EP8)
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Novocell Leading Type-1 Diabetes Stem Cell Research (EP8)
Novocell CSO Ed Baetge presents the company's pancreatic progenitor cell based approach to the treatment of diabetes type 1. Embryonic stem cells are differentiated into pancreatic progenitor cells and then transplanted in a capsule, where the beta (insulin) cells and islets are formed (invivo). The capsule used must be highly vascularized, and protect the cells from immune destruction. The combination of a cell therapy and a device is how Novocell plans to achieve a superior safety profile in it's future human clinical trials. Ed mentions some of the issues that need to be overcome (including teratoma formation, purity, efficient cell differentiation, encapsulation). Future milestones include the development of a manufacturing for the cells, and a GMP process for the capsules, followed by an FDA pre-registration (expected late 2010), as well as safety, efficacy, and dosing studies for an NDA filing in 2011-2012.
This is the Episode 8 of the Stem Cell Review, aired on December 3rd, 2009
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