Artificial pancreas implant could regulate insulin autonomously

Researchers report an implantable "living" artificial pancreas that houses insulin-producing cells inside a protective crystalline shield and maintained glucose control in tests on mice and non-human primates.

Researchers at the Technion and U.S. collaborators have developed an implantable, cell-based device intended to act as an autonomous artificial pancreas. The miniature implant contains live insulin-producing cells enclosed in an engineered crystalline shield. It is designed to sense blood glucose and release insulin without external pumps or injections. The results were published in Science Translational Medicine and were demonstrated in multiple animal models. Key points: - The implant was developed under Assistant Professor Shady Farah at the Technion with collaborators from MIT, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Massachusetts. - The findings were published in Science Translational Medicine. - The device encloses live insulin-producing cells within an engineered crystalline shield that allows nutrients and oxygen to pass while limiting immune cell access. - In diabetic mice the implant maintained stable blood glucose levels for extended periods. - In non-human primates the implant preserved cell viability and insulin functionality. - The research team describes the platform as potentially adaptable to secrete other biologic drugs and to support longer-term implantation. Summary: The work demonstrates an autonomously regulated, implantable pancreas in animal models and addresses immune rejection through a crystalline shielding approach. The researchers note the platform could be extended to deliver other biologic therapies. They report these results as paving the way for human clinical trials.