A Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy Study of Sernova's Cell Pouch™ for Clinical Islet Transplantation
Launched by SERNOVA CORP · Apr 19, 2018
Trial Information
Current as of May 21, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying a new device called the Cell Pouch™, which is designed to help treat people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D). The goal is to see if this device can safely and effectively hold insulin-producing cells, called islets, after they are transplanted. The Cell Pouch™ creates a natural environment in the body that supports these cells, which can help people who have trouble recognizing when their blood sugar levels drop too low (a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness) and who have had severe drops in blood sugar in the past.
To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be between 18 and 65 years old and have a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes with specific criteria, such as needing insulin for at least five years and experiencing severe low blood sugar episodes. Participants will undergo a procedure to implant the Cell Pouch™ and receive the islet cells. They can expect regular follow-ups to monitor their health and how well the device and islets are working together. It’s important to know that there are specific health conditions that may prevent someone from joining this trial, so potential participants should discuss their individual circumstances with their doctors.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • 1. Male and female patients 18 to 65 years of age.
- • 2. Ability to provide written informed consent.
- • 3. Mentally stable and able to comply with the procedures of the study protocol.
- • 4. Clinical history compatible with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) with onset of disease at \<40 years of age, insulin-dependence for ≥5 years at the time of consent, and a sum of patient age and insulin dependent diabetes duration of ≥28.
- • 5. Absent stimulated c-peptide (\<0.3 ng/mL) in response to a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT; measured during the 4 hour test).
- • 6. Involvement in intensive diabetes management defined as self-monitoring of glucose values no less than a mean of three times each day averaged over each week and by the administration of three or more insulin injections each day or insulin pump therapy. Such management must be under the direction of an endocrinologist, diabetologist, or diabetes specialist with at least 3 clinical evaluations during the 12 months prior to study consent.
- • 7. At least one episode of severe hypoglycemia in the 12 months prior to study consent.
- • 8. Reduced awareness of hypoglycemia. More information about this criterion, including specific definitions of hypoglycemia unawareness, is in the protocol.
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • 1. Body mass index (BMI) \>30 kg/m2
- • 2. Insulin requirement \>1.0 IU/kg/day
- • 3. Glycated Haemoglobin (HbAlc) \>13%.
- • 4. Untreated proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- • 5. Blood Pressure: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) \>160 mmHg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) \>100 mmHg.
- • 6. Measured glomerular filtration rate \<70 mL/min/1.73m2 (More information about this criterion is in the protocol
- • 7. Presence or history of macroalbuminuria (\>300 mg/g creatinine).
- • 8. Presence or history of panel-reactive anti-HLA antibodies \>30%
- • 9. For female subjects of child bearing potential: Positive pregnancy test, presently breast-feeding, or unwillingness to use effective contraceptive measures for the duration of the study and 4 months after discontinuation. For male subjects: intent to procreate during the duration of the study or within 4 months after discontinuation or unwillingness to use effective measures of contraception. More information about this criterion is in the protocol.
- • 10. Presence or history of active infection including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or tuberculosis (TB). Subjects with laboratory evidence of active infection are excluded even in the absence of clinical evidence of active infection.
- • 11. Patients with negative screen for Epstein Barr Virus by Immunoglobulin G (IgG) determination. More information about this criterion is in the protocol,
- • 12. Invasive aspergillus, histoplasmosis, or coccidioidomycosis infection within one year prior to study consent.
- • 13. Any history of malignancy except for completely resected squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin.
- • 14. Active smoking, vaping or marijuana use or known active alcohol or substance abuse.
- • 15. Baseline Hb below the lower limits of normal at the local laboratory for patients initially being enrolled into study.
- 16. Severe co-existing cardiac disease, characterized by any one of these conditions:
- • Recent myocardial infarction (within past 6 months).
- • Left ventricular ejection fraction \<30%.
- • Uncontrolled coronary artery disease.
- • Known hypercoagulative state or
- • International Normalized Ratio \> 1.8
- • 17. Uncontrolled hyperlipidemia (fasting LDL cholesterol \>130mg/dL and/or fasting triglycerides \>200mg/dL).
- • 18. Persistent elevation of liver function tests. More information on this criterion is in the protocol
- • 19. Severe unremitting diarrhea, vomiting or other gastrointestinal disorders potentially interfering with the ability to absorb oral medications (for example untreated celiac disease).
- • 20. Untreated Graves' disease
- • 21. Portal hypertension
- • 22. Receiving treatment for a medical condition requiring chronic use of systemic steroids, except for the use of ≤ 5 mg prednisone daily, or an equivalent dose of hydrocortisone, for physiological replacement only.
- • 23. Treatment with any anti-diabetic medication other than insulin within 4 weeks of transplant, More information on this criterion is in the protocol
- • 24. Use of any investigational agents within 4 weeks of consent
- • 25. Administration of live attenuated vaccine(s) within 2 months of consent.
- • 26. Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the study investigator, will interfere with safe participation in the trial.
- • 27. Treatment with any immunosuppressive regimen at the time of consent.
- • 28. A previous islet transplant.
- • 29. A previous pancreas transplant. More information on this criterion is in the protocol
- • 30. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to polymers More information on this criterion is in the protocol
- • 31. Islets from non-heart beating donors will be excluded as well as from CDC high-risk donors.
- • 32. Presence of colostomy/ileostomy, incisional hernia or other deformity of the abdominal wall precluding implantation of the Cell Pouch.
- • 33. History of malignant hypertension or other conditions precluding general anesthesia.
- • 34. Use of coumadin or other anticoagulant therapy (except aspirin) or subject with prothrombin time (PT-INR) \> 1.5.
About Sernova Corp
Sernova Corp. is a pioneering biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutic solutions for chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and hemophilia. Leveraging advanced cell transplant technologies, Sernova aims to improve patient outcomes through its proprietary Cell Pouch System, which provides a biocompatible environment for the transplantation of insulin-producing cells. Committed to scientific excellence and patient-centered care, the company actively engages in clinical trials to validate its transformative therapies, striving to enhance the quality of life for individuals facing complex health challenges.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Piotr Witkowski, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Chicago
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported
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