A new generation of cell therapy developed by the EU-funded VANGUARD project is set to revolutionize treatment for type 1 diabetes. The bioartificial pancreas offers a potential cure for this condition, which affects more than 2.2 million people in Europe.
Type 1 diabetes is a debilitating disease where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. While there is no known cure, existing treatments like pancreatic islet transplantation can help manage symptoms. However, these methods are severely limited by the scarcity of human donors and the need for lifelong immunosuppression injections, as noted by Dr. Berishvili, a medical doctor and associate professor at the University of Zurich.
The VANGUARD project aimed to develop more advanced treatment options that could overcome these limitations. Their goal was to engineer a bioartificial pancreas—a construct containing insulin-producing cell clusters embedded in a protective biomaterial—that can restore normal blood sugar levels without relying on donor organs or suppressing the patient’s immune system.
Over the course of five years, the project developed a retrievable, implantable medical device that mimics the function of the pancreas. This innovative approach has several groundbreaking developments at its core. One such development is Amniogel, a hydrogel scaffold derived from the body’s amniotic membrane. It protects transplanted cells, promotes blood vessel formation around them, and provides partial immune shielding—all while being compatible with pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing.
The project was recognized by regulatory bodies as ready for market and having high commercial potential. Additionally, they delivered human and porcine pre-vascularised organoids, 3D clusters of insulin-producing cells combined with blood vessel-forming cells. When incorporated directly into Amniogel, these solutions result in a complete bioartificial pancreas construct.
These advancements demonstrate that donor-independent, pre-vascularized bioartificial pancreases are now within reach. The potential to cure type 1 diabetes through this innovative approach is nothing short of groundbreaking and could transform the lives of millions affected by this condition.
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