Orgenesis receives patent for potential cure for type 1 diabetes

29 October 2014

Orgenesis Inc. has announced that it has received a patent for its technology for converting liver cells to pancreas cells as a potential cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

The company has pioneered the field of “cellular trans-differentiation” which transforms a patient’s own liver cells into new insulin-producing cells. The technology that has potential to regenerate glucose-responsive insulin production and restore glycemic homeostasis for patients suffering from various insulin-dependent disorders.

The U.S. patent No. 8,778,899, was granted for “Methods of Inducing Regulated Pancreatic Hormone Production in Non-pancreatic Islet Tissues” and recognizes the pioneering work done by Dr. Sarah Ferber and the research team at Orgenesis. .

“While our newly issued patent is very broad, and covers the use of any adult cell type that might be used to generate Insulin Producing Cells (IPCs), we have chosen to use liver cells because of how very closely they are physiologically related to pancreatic cells,” said Scott Carmer, CEO of Orgenesis North America.

“Both the liver and pancreas derive from the same embryonic lineage (endoderm); both share a common progenitor; both share many genetic transcription factors; and importantly, both have a built-in glucose sensing system. It is the genetic and physiologic similarities between liver and pancreas cells that have promise to overcome the issues now being seen that relate to using other cell sources, such as stem cells.”

“The science behind this patent marks new hope for the millions of people around the world who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes,” added Carmer. “We are confident in our science and technology, which has been validated in numerous preclinical models of insulin-dependent diabetes. This patent not only protects the fiscal investment of our work, but it authenticates our purpose. Orgenesis seeks to cure diabetes; developments such as this patent will only continue to help pave the way towards that end.”