The startup has developed a cell therapy platform that creates Engineered Micro Pancreas (EMP) for pancreatic islet transplantation, providing a viable alternative to traditional insulin therapy. This technology eliminates the need for insulin injections and glucose testing in diabetes patients, significantly improving their quality of life.
Funding
$562K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Diabetes patients often require frequent insulin injections and blood glucose testing to manage their condition, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Current treatments do not offer a long-term cure, and islet transplantation faces challenges such as limited donor availability and the need for immune suppression. Transplanted islets often fail to engraft due to the lack of a supportive microenvironment.
Solution
Betalin Therapeutics is developing an Engineered Micro Pancreas (EMP) as a cell-based regenerative therapy to restore normoglycemia in diabetic patients and eliminate the need for insulin injections. The EMP consists of insulin-producing beta cells housed within a micro-organ matrix (MOM) that mimics the natural extracellular environment of the pancreas. This tissue scaffold supports cell survival, increases insulin production, and ensures stable positioning of the cells within the body post-implantation. The EMP responds to the patient’s blood glucose levels by releasing regulated therapeutic levels of insulin. The micro-pancreas is implanted subcutaneously via a simple procedure, limiting surgery risks and enabling integration into the recipient's tissues.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals with diabetes who are seeking a long-term alternative to insulin injections and blood glucose testing, as well as healthcare providers specializing in diabetes treatment and regenerative medicine.
Features
- Stem cell-derived, insulin-producing beta cells for a sustainable source of material
- Micro-organ matrix (MOM) that recreates the natural extracellular environment of beta cells
- Tissue scaffold that provides structural support, reduces cell mortality, and increases insulin production
- Subcutaneous implantation procedure using a commonly used device under local anesthesia
- Stable positioning in the body, preventing migration of cells
- Regulation of insulin secretion in response to blood glucose levels
- Suitable for outpatient clinics, eliminating the need for expensive patient hospitalization