News & Views
Company Profile: Tissue regeneration for diabetes and neurological diseases at Living Cell Technologies
Published Online:8 Mar 2010https://doi.org/10.2217/rme.10.4
Abstract
Living Cell Technologies’ (LCT’s) cell-based therapeutic for Type 1 diabetes, DIABECELL®, comprises encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells. DIABECELL is presently in a Phase II clinical trial in New Zealand following positive early results. The cells are implanted into the abdomen to replace the patient’s pancreatic β-islet cells that have been lost as a result of autoimmune disease. LCT is also developing brain choroid plexus cells for the treatment of neurologic diseases. The aim is to enhance the brain’s natural repair mechanism by implanting cells releasing neurotrophins. Choroid plexus cell implants alleviate disease in animal models of Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and stroke. LCT encapsulates all cells in alginate, permitting implantation without using immunosuppressive drugs.
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