Sana Biotechnology Achieves Graft Survival in Type 1 Diabetes Study Without Immunosuppression Using HIP Technology

Jan 7, 2025, 09:28 PM

Sana Biotechnology, Inc. has announced positive initial results from a first-in-human study of its hypoimmune (HIP) technology in treating type 1 diabetes. The study, conducted in collaboration with Uppsala University Hospital, involved the transplantation of UP421, an allogeneic primary islet cell therapy engineered with Sana's HIP technology, into a patient with type 1 diabetes without the use of immunosuppression. The results at four weeks post-transplantation showed the survival and function of the transplanted pancreatic beta cells, as evidenced by the production of circulating C-peptide, a biomarker of insulin production. Additionally, an increase in C-peptide levels was observed during a mixed meal tolerance test, indicating insulin secretion in response to a meal. MRI scans also confirmed graft survival 28 days after transplantation. The study reported no safety issues and demonstrated that the HIP-modified islet cells successfully evaded immune detection. Sana Biotechnology plans to further evaluate the safety, persistence, and function of the transplanted cells.