A century ago, type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. But San Diego biotech ViaCyte says two studies published this week show the company is getting closer to what it calls a "functional cure" for the disease.
The pair of studies, published last week, are based on an early-stage clinical trial in which the company implanted small devices beneath the skin of type 1 diabetics. These devices were loaded with pancreatic cells, which researchers showed could grow into cell types that naturally keep your blood sugar from dipping too low or suddenly spiking.
The hope is that this approach, known as cell replacement therapy, could allow type 1 diabetics to ditch the needles, syringes and pumps they use to constantly monitor their blood sugar. But first, the reported findings, based on the first batch of patients to join an ongoing study, must hold up as the trial expands and in follow-up trials. And ViaCyte is still tinkering with its device to trigger insulin production more consistently and robustly.
