Under the terms of the Genzyme collaboration, over the next 18 months, Genzyme will conduct research to improve production and characterization of islet stem cells, and undertake preclinical proof-of-concept studies for the transplantation of adult islet stem cells derived from donated pancreatic tissue. ViaCell will work with Genzyme and conduct complementary preclinical research.
“This agreement represents a natural evolution of our four-year relationship with ViaCell,” commented Georges Gemayel, executive vice president at Genzyme. “ViaCell has an exciting platform in stem cell therapy, and we look forward to applying our expertise to the preclinical development of this program.”
ViaCell also announced the issuance of a patent, exclusively licensed from the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which broadly covers methods for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using nestin-positive islet derived progenitor cells (NIPs).