Humacyte presents positive preclinical data for BVP program

Humacyte announced the presentation of positive preclinical progress of its development of a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes at two scientific meetings. Humacyte’s BioVascular Pancreas BVP product candidate, currently in preclinical testing, incorporates stem cell-derived islets that are delivered using Humacyte’s acellular tissue engineered vessel ATEV technology. At a presentation at the Breakthrough T1D formerly, JDRF Beta Cell Consortium Meeting in New York City, scientists presented data in which stem cell-derived islets, manufactured at Humacyte, were observed to restore normal blood sugar in diabetic mice. In the mice, the stem cell-derived islets survived and continued to produce insulin, with no evidence of adverse safety events from the stem cell-derived islets. These experiments were performed in collaboration with the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami. In addition, Humacyte scientists reported at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, successful implantation of BVPs into non-human primate recipients. In the study, also performed in collaboration with the DRI, Humacyte’s ATEVs were coated with primate islets and were implanted into primate recipients. The primate BVP implants showed islet survival and continued insulin production throughout the three-month duration of the study. Islets also developed capillaries to support survival of the insulin-producing cells. Humacyte has commenced preclinical studies in diabetic non-human primate models to further advance development of the BVP as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes.