Scharp-Lacy Research Institute

The Scharp-Lacy Research Institute (SLRI) was a biotechnology research organization dedicated to advancing islet cell transplantation as a functional cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Founded by Dr. David Scharp, the institute focused on refining islet isolation processes and developing immune-protective encapsulation technologies to eliminate the need for chronic immunosuppression. SLRI's work was foundational in the field of cell-based therapies for metabolic diseases. In 2004, the institute merged with CyThera and Novocell to form a consolidated entity under the Novocell name, which eventually became ViaCyte and was later acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.