Kadimastem Ltd. (TASE: KDST) and iTolerance Inc. have announced encouraging results for their collaborative diabetes treatment, presented at the 84th scientific conference of the American Diabetes Association. The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine evaluated the product, which combines an immune modulator microgel and insulin-producing islet cells derived from human stem cells.
The DRI, a leading diabetes research institute, highlighted the treatment as a "novel combination of tolerance-inducing agent and human stem cell-derived islets" that demonstrates functional insulin release and disease reversal in a diabetes model. The experts at DRI confirmed the product's compatibility, safety, and efficacy, showing that the combination of iTOL-100 microgel and IsletRx pancreatic cells effectively restores normoglycemia in animal models.
Dr. Giacomo Lanzoni, PhD, program leader at DRI, noted the transformative potential of this approach. "Our observations highlight the transformative potential of combining stem cell-derived islets with an immunomodulatory microgel. This approach could enable transplantation across the allogeneic barrier, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for T1D, and could enhance the safety and long-term efficacy of islet cell transplantation," he stated.
Dr. Camillo Ricordi, MD, Director of the Cell Transplant Center and Director Emeritus at the DRI, emphasized the importance of the Fast Track Center for Testing at the DRI Cell Transplant Center in validating emerging technologies toward a cure for diabetes. He expressed hope that this research could replace the limited availability of pancreas-derived islets from multi-organ donors and eliminate the need for life-long immunosuppression.
The study's critical findings indicate that this combination therapy can reverse diabetes and maintain the functional integrity of the transplanted stem cell-derived islets. Key highlights include:
- IsletRx: Developed by Kadimastem, this preparation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Islets offers a scalable and virtually unlimited source of insulin-producing cells, addressing the critical shortage of donor islets for transplantation.
- iTOL-100: Developed by iTolerance, this immunomodulatory microgel is designed to eliminate the need for chronic systemic immunosuppression and has shown compatibility with stem cell-derived islets.
- Implantation in a Retrievable Site: The transplantation procedure is performed in a retrievable site, allowing for graft retrieval through minimally invasive surgery if needed.
- Successful Reversal of Diabetes: The study reports disease reversal in a chemically induced diabetes model, with comparable efficacy of IsletRx in the presence or absence of iTOL-100, indicating a lack of microgel toxicity.
Prof. Michel Revel, Chief Scientist of Kadimastem, highlighted the innovative nature of this collaboration, noting that it opens new avenues for transplanting pancreatic islet cells into diabetics without requiring full immune system suppression. Dr. Anthony Japour, CEO of iTolerance, expressed his excitement about the project, emphasizing the goal of eliminating the need for life-long toxic immunosuppressive agents in islet transplantation.
This joint project represents a significant advancement in the quest for a functional cure for type 1 diabetes, potentially transforming treatment approaches and improving the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide.
