Injectable hydrogel devices to protect transplanted insulin-producing cells
Official title: Hydrogel injection molded islet macroencapsulation devices to treat diabetes in a non-human primate model
Funded at Immunoshield Therapeutics INC. · NIH-11183246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing an injectable hydrogel device to shield transplanted insulin-making cells so people with type 1 diabetes might reduce or stop daily 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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $913,868 |
| NIH project number | 2R44DK136496-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11183246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with type 1 diabetes who are candidates for islet or other cell-based transplantation would be the ideal group for this approach.
✕Less likely to help
This work would not directly help people without insulin-dependent diabetes or those who are not eligible for cell transplantation.
What this research studies
This project builds a soft, non-degradable hydrogel 'macroencapsulation' device that holds insulin-producing islet cells and keeps them separated from the immune system. The device is made by injection molding to create thin, high surface-area shapes that let oxygen reach the cells and support long-term survival. Investigators are testing these devices in a non-human primate model to see whether transplanted cells can function without chronic immunosuppressive drugs and whether the device can be safely retrieved if needed. The aim is to make cell-based insulin replacement safer and more accessible than current islet transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow people with type 1 diabetes to receive cell transplants that produce insulin without lifelong immune-suppressing drugs, lowering daily insulin needs and complication risk.
How similar studies have gone: Clinical islet transplants have helped some patients but require heavy immunosuppression, and while macroencapsulation has shown promise in preclinical studies, it has had limited success so far in human use.
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.