Novocell Reports Successful Use of Stem Cells to Generate Insul... ( Results Demonstrate Potential Fut...)

Novocell Reports Successful Use of Stem Cells to Generate Insulin in Mice

Date:2/20/2008

Results Demonstrate Potential Future Application of Stem Cells as a

Treatment for Diabetes

Findings published in Nature Biotechnology

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Novocell, Inc., a stem cell engineering company, today announced data demonstrating for the first time that human embryonic stem (hES) cells can be turned into pancreatic cells capable of producing insulin in mice. The findings are reported in an article appearing on-line today, in advance of print publication, in the journal Nature Biotechnology. This research provides evidence supporting the potential future use of hES cells to replace insulin-producing pancreatic cells that are destroyed in people with Type 1 diabetes, requiring them to receive regular insulin treatment.

The findings build on two previously reported studies by Novocell (Nature Biotechnology 2005 and 2006), whereby Novocell scientists demonstrated a process that successfully engineers hES cells into specific cells necessary for pancreas formation, and endocrine cells capable of producing insulin and other pancreatic hormones.

In this new work, Novocell has demonstrated that implantation of hES-derived pancreatic cells into mice results in the generation of glucose-responsive insulin producing cells. These cells exhibit properties characteristic of functional adult pancreatic insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Most importantly, these hES-derived cells provide protection in an animal model of diabetes characterized by loss of pancreatic insulin producing cells.

"Our data provide the first compelling evidence that hES cells can serve as a renewable source of functional insulin producing cells for diabetes cell replacement therapies," said Emmanuel Baetge, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Novocell and senior author of the publication. "It also provides strong evidence that hES cell-derived endoderm cells are able to generate glucose-responsive in
'/>"/>

2

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology technology :

1. Novocell Announces Discovery Linking Key Cancer Cell Signaling Pathways With Proliferation and Self-Renewal of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
2. Novocell Appoints Orville G. Kolterman, M.D. to Board of Directors
3. EpiCept Reports Expansion of Clinical Development For Licensed Cancer Compound
4. QMed, Inc. Reports July Medicare SNP Enrollments
5. Phlo Affiliate Reports Expanded Coverage to Oregon Border
6. Healthcare Technologies Reports Loss for 2007 Second Quarter & Six Months Results
7. Dragon Pharmaceutical Reports Growth in Sales and Profits during Second Quarter of 2007
8. Carrington Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results
9. Avitar Reports Third Quarter Financial Results for Fiscal 2007
10. Response Genetics Reports Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results
11. Cadence Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results

Post Your Comments:

Novocell Reports Successful Use of Stem Cells to Generate Insul...( Results Demonstrate Potential Fut...)