BETA-CELL

Beta-Cell, established in 1998, develops novel cell therapy and other products related to diabetes. The company is a spin-off from the VUB Diabetes Research Center (VUB-DRC). DRC is a leader in the biology of insulin-producing beta cells and its use as platform for novel methods in the treatment of diabetes. It has particular expertise in cell isolation and quality control, stem/precursor cell characterization and differentiation, preparation of standardized beta cell grafts and organization and funding of multi-center clinical trials in diabetes patients. DRC is an internationally recognized center of excellence in the field of diabetes.

As one of the most important non-communicable diseases of our time, diabetes affects both young and old, irrespective of gender or ethnicity. Beta-Cell’s cell replacement therapy aims for a durable cure of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Beta-Cell is developing an innovative long-term therapeutic solution. It manufactures a cell therapy product, called BetaGraft, which can replace the lost pancreatic beta cells and mimic their biologic properties. In animal models, BetaGraft shows superior results when compared to human cell transplants that are currently used in clinics. When confirmed in clinical trials, BetaGraft will be considered as cure for diabetes with profound impact on everyday life of millions of patients.