Hydrogel islet device to help people with type 1 diabetes
Official title: Hydrogel injection molded islet macroencapsulation devices to treat diabetes in a non-human primate model
Funded at Immunoshield Therapeutics INC. · NIH-11404899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new device designed to protect insulin-producing cells transplanted into people with type 1 diabetes could reduce or replace insulin injections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Immunoshield Therapeutics INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chandler, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $935,197 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK136496-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children with type 1 diabetes who may benefit from cell-based therapy and device-based graft protection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot undergo cell-based therapies or have contraindications to implanted devices may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a hydrogel-based device to encase insulin-producing cells and protect them from the immune system. It focuses on making the device manufacturable and capable of long-term cell survival in the body. The work aims to move closer to a patient-ready option that could lower reliance on daily insulin injections if successful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could achieve better blood sugar control with fewer injections and less need for immune-suppressing drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous islet encapsulation efforts have shown promise but faced manufacturing and durability challenges; this work seeks to overcome those barriers.
Where this research is happening
-
Immunoshield Therapeutics INC.
Chandler, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Becker, Matthew — Immunoshield Therapeutics INC.
- Study coordinator: Becker, Matthew
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.