New “micro pancreas” therapy could revolutionize treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes patients
A groundbreaking new development in diabetes technology could potentially transform the lives of millions of people suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes. Israeli company Betalin Therapeutics recently announced significant progress in the creation of a “micro pancreas,” an experimental therapy that could potentially free diabetes patients from their reliance on daily insulin injections.
“This can become a cornerstone for solving the burden for people with Type 1 diabetes,” said Prof. Peter Schwarz, a member of Betalin’s advisory board and president-elect of the International Diabetes Federation. “We have an enormous chance to have an impact on the quality of life, on societal aspects, economic aspects, and medical aspects for those patients.”
Type 1 diabetes affects approximately 8.5 million people worldwide and can strike individuals of any age, causing an autoimmune response that destroys the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin. This is distinct from Type 2 diabetes, which is a metabolic disorder where the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin therapy is necessary for managing both types of diabetes; however, patients with Type 1 diabetes often require constant insulin injections.
Currently, one of the most common therapies for insulin-dependent diabetes in wealthier countries is the use of insulin pumps. However, these pumps are expensive and not widely accessible in middle-income and poorer countries. Even with an insulin pump, managing diabetes remains a complex and demanding task for patients.
Betalin’s innovative approach involves creating a scaffold made of animal tissue that holds implanted beta cells in place and provides an environment that promotes cell growth. Researchers at Betalin take lung tissue from pigs and use a process called decellularization to remove cell remnants while retaining the functionality of the extracellular matrix.
Successful preclinical results have been achieved using islet cells on animals such as mice and pigs, and the company aims to achieve similar results with stem cells in collaboration with other companies. The ultimate goal is to create a “micro pancreas” that will effectively manage insulin production and significantly improve the quality of life for diabetes patients.
While the development is still in the preclinical trial stage, Betalin Therapeutics remains hopeful that their research will lead to a new and effective therapy for diabetes. The small Israeli startup believes that their visionary approach is not only possible but getting closer to reality, offering hope for millions of diabetic patients worldwide.
Note: Hannah Levin is a student at Northwestern University and an intern in The Media Line’s Press and Policy Student Program.