Vertex heads to the clinic with a next-gen stem cell candidate for type 1 diabetes
Vertex will start human testing of a new-and-improved version of its stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes.
Regulators cleared Vertex’s IND for its stem cell-derived pancreatic islet cell therapy VX-264 in type 1 diabetes, the company announced Thursday.
While the new candidate uses the same islet cells as VX-880, Vertex’s original stem cell program for diabetes, it also makes use of an immunoprotective device that potentially eliminates the need for immunosuppression. Patients who take immunosuppressants may face a range of side effects, including an increased risk of infection. The device used in this program was invented by Semma Therapeutics, which was acquired by Vertex in 2019, and further developed at Vertex, according to a spokesperson.
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