Italian
| In Padua, Immunostem is the first experimental clinical study of gene and cell therapy for diabetes. Stefani’s compliments: “The synergy between the Universities of Padua and Milan is an added value” |
| Padua – The President of the Veneto Region, Alberto Stefani, expressed his congratulations on the opening in Padua of “Immunostem”, the first experimental clinical study to combat type 1 diabetes with cell and gene therapy. “Research is the engine of progress in medicine. The first experimental clinical study of cell and gene therapy opening at the University Hospital of Padua is a new significant piece. It concerns millions of people across Italy suffering from type 1 diabetes, the most severe and debilitating form, who could benefit from the outcomes of this first initiative in Padua.” Immunostem ‘IMMUNOSTEM’ is aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of an innovative gene therapy approach based on engineered autologous hematopoietic stem cells to express the PD-L1 molecule for the treatment of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, aiming to preserve insulin production. The study has Prof. G. Fadini, Metabolic Diseases, as the PI. The trial involves the recruitment of 15 patients with the Hospital of Padua as the sole clinical site. The collaboration “I warmly welcome – added Stefani – the collaboration that has been established in this case between the University of Padua (with Dr. Biffi from Pediatric Oncohematology) and the University of Milan (with endocrinologist Professor Fiorina). The result is the birth of an innovative SME (Altheia Science), which is the spin-off of both universities and the sponsor of the clinical study, already approved by Aifa, aimed at preserving insulin production. The union between two university giants like Padua and Milan has great significance at the national level.” “I wish the first 15 patients entering the trial the best results – concludes Stefani – and I congratulate all the protagonists of this new advancement in research.” |
