Century Therapeutics Announces New Beta Islet Program for Type 1 Diabetes

Core Insights - Century Therapeutics has announced its first program for Type 1 diabetes (T1D), CNTY-813, utilizing iPSC-derived beta islets engineered with Allo-Evasion™ 5.0 technology to achieve durable glycemic control without systemic immunosuppression [1][2][5] Company Overview - Century Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapies aimed at addressing autoimmune diseases and cancer [7] - The company leverages its proprietary Allo-Evasion™ technology to create off-the-shelf cell therapies that enhance patient access and offer advantages over existing treatments [7] Product Development - The CNTY-813 program aims to provide a scalable, immune-evasive beta islet therapy that could significantly improve the treatment landscape for T1D, which affects approximately 9 million people globally, including 2 million in the U.S. [4][5] - Century has generated compelling preclinical data demonstrating rapid and sustained normalization of glucose levels in diabetic mouse models, along with significant glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and engineered resistance to immune rejection [2][6] - The company plans to initiate IND-enabling studies by the end of 2025 and aims to submit an IND application to the FDA as early as 2026 [3][5] Market Opportunity - The current treatment for T1D imposes a significant financial burden on the healthcare system, with annual insulin costs in the U.S. estimated between $6 billion and $8 billion [4] - An off-the-shelf, immune-evasive beta islet therapy could provide a paradigm shift in T1D management, addressing the challenges of unpredictable glucose swings and the need for lifelong insulin [2][4]