Living Cell Technologies implant given regulatory tick in Russia

Xenotransplantation specialists Living Cell Technologies' (LCT) subsidiary, LCT Biomedical, has been given the tick by Russian regulators for its encapsulation device which is central to its Diabecell technology for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

Regulatory approval in Russia is significant because the Russian standard is accepted in other parts of Europe, said Dr Paul Tan, Chief Executive Officer LCT in a statement.

The encapsulation device can also be used for other delivery applications, including drug delivery and biologics.

LCT's Diabecell technology uses the device to implant insulin producing cells from a pig, thus obviating the need for insulin injections to treat Type 1 diabetes, and can do so without the need for immunosuppressant drugs. The technology is currently undergoing trials in New Zealand.

“In addition to LCT’s two lead products - DIABECELL for treatment of Type 1 diabetes and NTCELL for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease - there is already interest in Russia for the use of the capsules as a drug and biologic delivery system,” said Tan.