HIP-modified pancreatic islet cells

HIP-modified pancreatic islet cells are an investigational cell-based therapy platform developed by Sana Biotechnology for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The therapy utilizes pancreatic islet cells that have been genetically engineered using Sana's proprietary hypoimmune (HIP) technology to evade immune rejection. This modification involves the depletion of HLA class I and HLA class II molecules to prevent recognition by the adaptive immune system (T cells) and the overexpression of CD47 to inhibit the innate immune response (macrophages and NK cells). The platform includes two primary candidates: UP421, which uses donor-derived primary human islet cells, and SC451, which uses stem cell-derived islet cells. The therapy is designed to be transplanted intramuscularly, where the modified cells can survive, persist, and secrete insulin in a glucose-dependent manner without the need for systemic immunosuppressive medications. Clinical data from the UP421 program has demonstrated that these modified cells can survive for at least six months and produce measurable C-peptide in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Other names

HIP-modified primary human pancreatic islet cellsHypoimmune-modified pancreatic islet cellsHIP-modified stem cell-derived islet cells