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Orgenesis receives patent for potential cure for type 1 diabetes

Orgenesis, a leader in the emerging fields of cellular therapy and regenerative medicine, has announced that it has received a patent for the technology supporting its unique cell-based therapy, which is being developed as a potential cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

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 who have used the technology to successfully reprogram human liver cells into glucose-responsive, fully functional Insulin Producing Cells (IPCs).

"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."

Orgenesis is a pioneer in the field of "cellular trans-differentiation," a technology that has potential to regenerate glucose-responsive insulin production and restore glycemic homeostasis for patients suffering from various insulin-dependent disorders. By transforming a patient’s own liver cells into new insulin-producing cells, Orgenesis hopes to develop a breakthrough therapy for people living with Type 1 Diabetes. The new patent further showcases how innovative the Orgenesis methods are and will provide protection for this intellectual property that may have curative potential for insulin-dependent disorders such as Type 1 Diabetes.

"The science behind this patent marks new hope for the millions of people around the world who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes," Carmer said.

"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."