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Genprex says research collaborators to present preclinical data highlighting potential of its gene therapy for Type 1 diabetes at Berlin conference

Published: 07:25 04 Jan 2023 EST

Medical conference presentation
The abstract will be delivered at the 16th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2023) being held February 22-25

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ:GNPX) has announced that its research collaborators at the University of Pittsburgh will present preclinical data highlighting the therapeutic potential of Genprex's gene therapy for Type 1 diabetes at the 16th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2023) being held February 22-25, 2023, in Berlin, Germany and online.

"ATTD 2023 presents an ideal opportunity for the results of this important study to be presented to the diabetes community. The data further support the potential of Genprex's novel gene therapy being developed for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes to change the trajectory of this devastating disease," said Dr Mark Berger, Genprex's chief medical officer in a statement. 

"Using the expression of Pdx1 and MafA transcription factors, this approach has been shown first in mice and then in non-human primate studies to lead to the creation of new beta-like cells that produce insulin and may provide long-term replacement of beta-cells," he added.

READ: Genprex boosts its diabetes gene therapy program with the license of additional technology from the University of Pittsburgh

The diabetes gene therapy approach is comprised of a novel infusion process that uses endoscopic delivery of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to bring therapeutic genes directly to the pancreas. 

In models of Type 1 diabetes, these genes express proteins that transform alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells, which can produce insulin but are distinct enough from beta cells to evade the body's immune system. In Type 2 diabetes, where autoimmunity is not at play, it is believed that using a similar approach the exhausted beta cells will be rejuvenated and replenished. 

The presentation will be Abstract Number 203, titled 'Pancreatic Intraductal Infusion of Adeno-Associated Virus To Treat Non-Human Primates in a Toxin-Induced Diabetes Model'.  It will be delivered by Ranjeet Kalsi, representing the laboratory of Dr George Gittes, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine at 1.45pm Central European Standard Time on Saturday, February 25, 2023

The abstract will be made available on the ATTD conference website at https://attd.kenes.com.

Genprex is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes. The company's technologies are designed to administer disease-fighting genes to provide new therapies for large patient populations with cancer and diabetes who currently have limited treatment options. 

Genprex works with world-class institutions and collaborators to develop drug candidates to further its pipeline of gene therapies in order to provide novel treatment approaches.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com

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