Genprex Signs Sponsored Research Agreement with the University of Pittsburgh to Study Diabetes Gene Therapy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Core Viewpoint - Genprex, Inc. has announced a new Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with the University of Pittsburgh to further study its gene therapy GPX-002 for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in animal models, following the completion of a previous two-year agreement [1][2]. Company Overview - Genprex, Inc. is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing therapies for cancer and diabetes, utilizing innovative technologies to deliver disease-fighting genes [5][6]. - The company’s lead product candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy, is under evaluation in clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) [5]. Research and Development - The new SRA with the University of Pittsburgh will sponsor preclinical studies of GPX-002, which has shown promising results in reducing insulin requirements and improving glucose tolerance in animal models of diabetes [2][3]. - GPX-002 employs an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver Pdx1 and MafA genes directly to the pancreas, aiming to transform alpha cells into functional beta-like cells in Type 1 diabetes and rejuvenate exhausted beta cells in Type 2 diabetes [3][6]. Market Context - As of 2024, approximately 38.4 million Americans have diabetes, with 10% having Type 1 diabetes and 90-95% having Type 2 diabetes. The global diabetes population is projected to rise from 537 million in 2021 to 783 million by 2045 [4]. - Diabetes caused over 6.7 million deaths globally in 2021 and resulted in approximately $966 billion in health expenditures, reflecting a significant increase over the past fifteen years [4].