Safer stem cell therapy for diabetes using controllable, expandable islet-like cells
Official title: Development of a safer stem cell-based diabetes therapy via suicide gene-mediated ablation of proliferative cells
Funded at Regenerative Medical Solutions, INC. · NIH-11416753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new stem cell–based treatment aims to replace damaged pancreatic cells to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar without lifelong immune drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Regenerative Medical Solutions, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $872,115 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK133008-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with diabetes who have difficulty achieving stable blood glucose levels despite standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who would not be eligible include those without a diabetes diagnosis or those with contraindications to cell-based therapies.
What this research studies
This project aims to create pancreatic islet–like clusters from engineered stem cells that can be produced in large quantities. The cells are designed to evade immune attack and to be removable if needed using a safe drug, reducing the need for lifelong immunosuppression. The approach builds on a prior pipeline to generate ILCs and adds a FailSafe system to control proliferating cells after transplantation. The research progresses toward a therapy that could be produced at scale and potentially used by many patients who struggle with blood glucose control. If successful, this work could bring a more available and safer cell-based option for diabetes management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could regain better blood sugar control with a therapy that doesn’t require lifelong immune suppression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in generating islet-like clusters from stem cells, with ongoing research exploring immune evasion and safety features.
Where this research is happening
-
Regenerative Medical Solutions, INC.
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mael, Amber — Regenerative Medical Solutions, INC.
- Study coordinator: Mael, Amber
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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.