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Vertex Buys Semma, Gaining Cell Therapy-Based Type 1 Diabetes Treatments

 
• By Jessica Merrill

Semma's innovative technology involves growing insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells and transplanting them into the liver, but it hasn't been tested in humans yet.

Diabetes concept

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. is building out its early pipeline beyond cystic fibrosis with the $950m acquisition of Semma Therapeutics Inc., a privately-held cell therapy company working in type 1 diabetes. Semma is pioneering a novel and potentially curative approach to treating type 1 diabetes based on the development of insulin-producing beta cells grown from stem cells that can restore insulin secretion.

Semma's technology is early stage, having only been tested in animal models, but two lead programs have demonstrated preclinical proof-of-concept, including the ability to end hypoglycemia in animal models

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