ISLET TRANSPLANTATION NO LONGER LIMITED BY GEOGRAPHY

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ISLET TRANSPLANTATION NO LONGER LIMITED BY GEOGRAPHY

SOURCE: Diabetes Research Institute

Diabetes Research Institute isolates and ships insulin-producing cells for

Texas' first duccessful islet cell transplant in patient with Type 1 diabetes.

MIAMI, January 23, 2002 —Within twenty four hours of receiving insulin-producing

cells from the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami, a Houston

woman has begun to produce the life-saving hormone on her own for the first time

in thirty years, and in doing so she's become the first successful islet cell

transplant recipient in the State of Texas. The clinical trial, carried out at

Baylor College of Medicine and Methodist Hospital, demonstrates the clinical

benefits of the newest cellular isolation and preservation technologies

developed at the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). These techniques allow donor

organs from any state in the country to be processed in Miami and the resulting

fragile cells preserved and successfully returned for use in transplantation in

that state. Patients with diabetes need no longer reside close to an islet

isolation facility to be candidates for this procedure.

" I'm delighted that we have been the first in the U.S. to demonstrate that

islets processed at one center can be safely preserved, transported and

transplanted at another institution across the country, " explains Camillo

Ricordi, M.D., Scientific Director of the Diabetes Research Institute and

Professor of Surgery and Medicine at the University of Miami. " On a larger

scale, this will be very important for regulatory agencies such as the Food and

Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to take into

consideration as planning for future trials at other institutions gets underway.

It's a win-win for everyone, and an advance that will make islet transplantation

more available to all patients that can benefit from it. "

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic debilitating disease that affects more than 1

million individuals in the United States, the overwhelming majority of whom are

diagnosed in childhood. In addition to requiring self- administration of insulin

multiple times a day, patients typically suffer many complications including

kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease, and blindness. Although whole organ

transplant is an effective treatment, it is associated with much higher

peri-operative risks. Islet transplantation, a minimally invasive procedure, is

currently performed under local anesthesia as an out patient procedure that

typically lasts less than an hour to complete.

" Although the perpetual shortage of organ donors remains an obstacle for more

widespread use of the islet transplantation procedure, " adds Goss, M.D.

principal investigator of the study and an associate professor of surgery at

Baylor College of Medicine, " islet cell transplantation can clearly lead to a

significant improvement in the care of patients with diabetes. "

The Houston case " went flawlessly, " according to Brunicardi, M.D.,

Chairman of Surgery at Baylor and Chief of Surgery at Methodist. " Our patient

has blood sugars ranging between 90 and 100, which is normal, and I think it's

wonderful. It is through collaborative efforts such as this that the field moves

closer and closer towards a cure. "

# # #

The Diabetes Research Institute is the most comprehensive center dedicated to

curing diabetes, and a recognized world leader in islet cell transplantation.

The first true " fast track " center for diabetes research, the DRI leads other

facilities around the globe in developing ways to speed significant findings

from the lab to patients now living with the disease. Throughout its history,

the DRI has maintained an open-door policy, initiating collaborations with other

leading research centers and biotech companies, and training the majority of

researchers working within the specialized field of islet transplantation. For

the millions of patients and families affected by diabetes who are looking to

the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best

hope for a cure.

Mark E. Armstrong

NW Rep, PAI

www.top5plus5.com

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