Diabetes rivals combine

The major rivalry in the field of cellular implants to treat Type I insulin dependent diabetes has become a collaboration, as CytoTherapeutics Inc.

Both companies have been working on implantable delivery systems containing insulin-producing islet cells to treat diabetes. CTII's membranes consist of either hollow fibers or a flat-sheet diffusion device containing islets. Oxygen, nutrients and therapeutic substances flow in and out and the membrane isn't vascularized, said Thomas Wiggans, CTII president and COO. The device is long-acting but can be replaced with minimally invasive surgery...