New implantable 'Cell Pouch' could free diabetics from insulin shots
NCT ID NCT03513939
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a device called the Cell Pouch, which is implanted in the abdomen to create a natural home for donor insulin-producing cells. The goal is to help people with type 1 diabetes who have dangerous low blood sugar episodes. Seventeen participants will receive the implant and donor islet cells while taking immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Sernova Cell Pouch (implantable device) with donor islet cells
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new way to transplant insulin-producing cells into the body, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for insulin injections in people with type 1 diabetes.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1/2 trial with only 17 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The procedure requires lifelong immunosuppression, which carries risks like infection and organ damage.
Why investors are watching
Sernova is testing its Cell Pouch device, an implantable scaffold that holds insulin-producing cells for people with type 1 diabetes who have severe low blood sugar episodes. This small company's value depends on this early-stage trial showing the device is safe and tolerable in 17 participants. A clear safety signal would validate the technology and support further development.
If it works: If the trial shows the Cell Pouch safely supports transplanted islet cells, Sernova could advance to larger studies and attract partners or funding. Positive safety and tolerability data would be a key milestone for a micro-cap company with few other assets.
If it fails: The trial could fail to show safety or tolerability, or face delays in enrollment or follow-up. Early-stage trials often fail, and a negative result would likely set back the company's development plans and reduce its prospects.
AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 17 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2019
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
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.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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