Core Viewpoint - Sernova Biotherapeutics has entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement with Eledon Pharmaceuticals to utilize Eledon's immunosuppressive agent, tegoprubart, in Sernova's Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its Cell Pouch Bio-hybrid Organ aimed at treating patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) [1][2]. Group 1: Collaboration and Clinical Trial Details - Eledon will supply tegoprubart, an investigational anti-CD40L antibody, to replace tacrolimus in Cohort C of the clinical trial, addressing the limitations of tacrolimus in islet cell therapy for T1D [2][3]. - The trial led by Dr. Piotr Witkowski showed that T1D patients receiving islet transplants with tegoprubart achieved normal blood sugar levels and insulin independence, with islet engraftment rates three to five times higher than those receiving tacrolimus [3]. Group 2: Company Statements and Future Outlook - Sernova's CEO expressed optimism about the combination of their Cell Pouch technology with tegoprubart, suggesting it could lead to faster insulin independence with reduced toxicity to islet cells [4]. - Eledon's CEO highlighted the potential of tegoprubart to protect transplanted cells without the toxicities associated with standard immunosuppressive treatments, aiming to transform the treatment landscape for T1D [4]. Group 3: Company Background - Sernova Biotherapeutics is focused on developing regenerative medicine therapeutics that integrate its Cell Pouch with human donor cells or stem-cell derived islet-like clusters to create bio-hybrid organs for treating T1D and other chronic diseases [5].
Sernova Biotherapeutics Announces Collaboration with Eledon Pharmaceuticals to Advance a Potential Functional Cure for Type 1 Diabetes