Advancement in discovering a cure?

[kstreeter513]

I tend to be very skeptical/pessimistic about this kind of news, but hey, you've got to have some kind of hope out there. Anyway, I got this in an email the other day and thought I'd share it here.

"February 12, 2008 � Melbourne, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand - Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX:LCT; OTC: LVCLY.PK) today announced that the Company's positive preliminary clinical results will be presented at the upcoming 7th International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Western Pacific Region Congress.

LCT's Medical Director, Professor Bob Elliott, has been invited to update a group of international diabetes experts on the successful implant of DiabeCell�, the encapsulated porcine, insulin producing cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The LCT presentation is scheduled for March 31, 2008 in Wellington, New Zealand.

LCT's lead product, DiabeCell� is presently in Phase I/IIa clinical trials. As previously reported on October 9 and October 22, 2007, the early results of the Russian clinical trial exceeded expectations in the first group of patients, where they were given the lowest dose of DiabeCell�. The clinical trial commenced in June 2007 and the first patient has now completed 6 months follow-up, maintaining clinical benefit with no evidence of immune rejection. The prolonged survival and effect of LCT's DiabeCell� have been attained without the need for immunosuppressive or anti-rejection drugs.

Professor Elliott is to summarize the available follow-up data on all patients implanted with DiabeCell� at the upcoming IDF congress.
LCT's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paul Tan stated, "This international forum will provide an excellent opportunity to report the positive results from the ongoing trial, including the added benefits f a re-implant with a second dose."

"February 12, 2008 � Melbourne, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand - Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX:LCT; OTC: LVCLY.PK) today announced that the US based Children with Diabetes Foundation (CWDF), has offered its support in raising funds for LCT's DiabeCell� clinical trials for people with type 1 diabetes. The foundation has established a fund which allows supporters of diabetes research to contribute tax deductible donations towards the trials.

In the past CWDF has contributed approximately US$ 250,000 towards Professor Elliott's research and LCT's development work. The foundation has also invested in LCT and holds 330,117 shares.

Sonia Cooper, President of CWDF said from Denver, Colorado, "The foundation views LCT's treatment for type 1 diabetes as extremely promising, and the clinical trials being conducted as the next positive step towards getting this treatment to patients. We are establishing a fund for those who want to support research in type 1 diabetes that is well advanced and in human clinical trials. Donations to CDWF are fully tax deductible . This means that 100% of the donations are for LCT's international human DiabeCell� clinical trials."

Dr Paul Tan, Chief Executive Officer of LCT added, "LCT is delighted to have support from a foundation known for its dedication to children with diabetes and active support for clinically relevant research. The DiabeCell� clinical trials are attracting a lot of international support as demonstrated by LCT's recent capital raise, as well as this current initiative. Overall, the Company is now well positioned to make significant progress in the clinical trials during 2008."

Children with Diabetes Foundation is a US�based not-for-profit organization which was formed to assist people living with diabetes, and to support the work of scientists and physicians world-wide searching for a cure. CWDF acts as the venture capitalist of diabetes research, by helping new, clinically relevant, innovative research get off the ground. To comply with United States Internal Revenue Service regulations, CWDF is a 501 (c) 3 organization and donations are deductible from Unites States income tax. The US Federal Tax ID for CWDF is 31-158740. Information on how donations may be made is available at Welcome to the Children With Diabetes Foundation.

DiabeCell� is a porcine pancreatic cell product for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes.
The islet cell efficiently secretes insulin, which is defective or absent in patients with type 1 diabetes. The cells are introduced into the abdomen of the patient in a simple procedure under light anaesthesia. Treatment with DiabeCell� does not require the use of immunosuppressant drugs.

LCT's DiabeCell� trials are progressing well with four patients already enrolled in Russia. The company is expecting approval from the New Zealand Minister of Health for the commencement of clinical trials in New Zealand this year."

Kind of repetitive, I know. It came to me in a series of three emails. I wanted to be sure to leave nothing out so I just included everything. Sounds good! Hopefully we'll be hearing more in the future!!

[BlueSky]

I agree that it looks promising. I have already been in touch with the company, making myself available for the trials. The response suggested that I email the Minister of Health, who is dragging his heels in giving approval for the trials. I got a non-commital reply from the minister's secretary and I am still waiting for a proper answer. It is a political hot potato here because of reservations about xenotransplantation. Bob Elliot started doing trials here 10 years ago but the government stopped them. 2008 is an election year here, so I am not holding my breath....

[viranth]

Is there a link for this? I want to bring this to my diabetes doctor when I go there next week.

I also want to email it to various other people that might be interested in it.

[shiftzor]

Any hope is better than no hope Sounds very promising, hope they can do more research and clinical trials.

[BlueSky]

Is there a link for this? I want to bring this to my diabetes doctor when I go there next week.

I also want to email it to various other people that might be interested in it.

Here is a page on the Diabecell product from the LCT website.
DiabeCell - Living Cell Technologies

[kstreeter513]

I agree that it looks promising. I have already been in touch with the company, making myself available for the trials. The response suggested that I email the Minister of Health, who is dragging his heels in giving approval for the trials. I got a non-commital reply from the minister's secretary and I am still waiting for a proper answer. It is a political hot potato here because of reservations about xenotransplantation. Bob Elliot started doing trials here 10 years ago but the government stopped them. 2008 is an election year here, so I am not holding my breath....

Wow that would be great to get in on the trials!! What is the big deal people have with xenotransplantation? Is it a matter of ethics? Or do they think animal cells would present some kind of problem in humans?

[BlueSky]

.... What is the big deal people have with xenotransplantation? ....

The experts are still not convinced that it is safe. Apparently there is a perceived risk of porcine retroviruses getting into the human population and being replicated through our DNA. I think these issues have just about been dealt with to the satisfaction of the the-powers-that-be. But there are also cultural sensitivities with regard to the indigenous population that have to be addressed. This isn't getting much publicity at the moment .... maybe it is time to lobby the Minister of Health again.

[viranth]

They tested this years ago, and none of the participants have showed any signs of side effects and the like. This happened maybe 10 years ago or more.

[kstreeter513]

They tested this years ago, and none of the participants have showed any signs of side effects and the like. This happened maybe 10 years ago or more.

Yes. You are correct. Sadly it was 11 years ago. I know this because at the time I was ten years old, and the news reporter said if everything went well, it would be available to the public in ten years. I remember thinking, "man, if I can just hold out until I'm 20, I'll be cured!!" Well I'm 21 now and guess what, I still have diabetes.

Sorry about being a sore sport, but that is why I will always remain skeptical. I'm not saying it will never happen, as this sounds very promising, but I will not get my hopes up.

[kstreeter513]

I just got this in my email today. Looks like trials are going well.

Living Cell Technologies Confirms Insulin



Delivery from Implants in Diabetes



Clinical Trial

June 25, 2008 � Melbourne, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand - Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX:LCT; OTC: LVCLY) today reported that patients in the DiabeCell� phase I/IIa diabetes clinical trial had porcine insulin in their blood samples providing additional scientific confirmation that implants of DiabeCell� actively produce insulin and directly contribute to clinical benefit.

Professor Bob Elliott, LCT Medical Director, said, �The early clinical response in the first two patients showed that following DiabeCell� treatment they were able to control their diabetes with reduced insulin dose. By detecting porcine insulin in blood samples, we have demonstrated with certainty that the reduced insulin requirement is due to the implanted cells.�

�Porcine insulin was present in the circulation of the first patient at 11 months follow up and in the second patient 6 months after receiving the implant. In the second patient it was detected after she stopped insulin injections clearly demonstrating the effect of the implants,� continued Professor Elliott.

Dr Paul Tan, LCT Chief Executive Officer, said, �This recent information is consistent with LCT�s published research which demonstrated presence of porcine insulin in a patient 10 years after a similar implant. This has now been validated again after 11 months without use of immunosuppressive drugs in the current trial and at the lowest dose of DiabeCell�. The long term functioning of the encapsulated cells is important and we expect LCT�s current encapsulation technology to keep the cells alive and functioning long term�.

�The preliminary data from this world-first diabetes clinical trial of encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells gives us increasing confidence as we advance DiabeCell� to larger scale trials with higher doses,� continued Dr Tan. LCT announced earlier this month that it would be expanding the Russian trial.
This preliminary data from the first two patients will be followed by results from the other patients in the trial. All 5 patients who have received transplants are participating in the follow-up programme. All remain well and without complication. The first two have received their second implant while the other three are to be scheduled for their second implants.

Professor Bob Elliott is travelling to Russia in July to review all patients with their personal physicians and to collate clinical data. LCT expects to be able to provide a complete trial update in late July.

DiabeCell�, encapsulated porcine insulin producing cells, is the Company�s lead product. It is currently undergoing phase I//IIa clinical trials for insulin dependent type 1 diabetes.



Living Cell Technologies Informed of



Progress for Decisions on Diabetes



Clinical Trial in New Zealand



June 26, 2008 � Melbourne, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand - Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX:LCT; OTCQX: LVCLY) today announced that it has received a letter from the New Zealand Minister of Health, the Honorable David Cunliffe, indicating that he has sought independent advice from the National Health Committee (NHC) by 8 August 2008, on LCT�s application to conduct a Phase I/IIa clinical trial with DiabeCell� in New Zealand.

The NHC is a Ministerial advisory committee that the Minister can seek advice from to complete the statutory requirements of his decision making process on the authorization of LCT�s application. Prior to this stage, LCT had obtained and submitted to the Minister approvals from the Regional Ethics Committee, the Gene Technology Advisory Committee, International Accreditation New Zealand and Medsafe, the regulatory body that approved the manufacture for human use of encapsulated porcine cells (DiabeCell�) under Good Manufacturing Practice standards.

DiabeCell� is the Company�s encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells currently in development for the treatment of insulin dependent type 1 diabetes without the use of immunosuppressive drugs.

Dr Paul Tan, LCT Chief Executive Officer, said, �LCT is pleased with the stated time frame and is committed to assisting the Minister and the NHC with any further information that may be required to ensure that the deadline is met. LCT sees this as a step forwards for its efforts to include New Zealand in the Company�s international clinical trials programme�.


About Living Cell Technologies Ltd.
Living Cell Technologies is developing cell-based products to treat life threatening human diseases. The company owns a bio-certified pig herd that it uses as a source of cells for treating diabetes and potentially for treatment of neurological disorders. For patients having type 1 diabetes, the company implants microencapsulated islet cells so that near-normal blood glucose levels might be achieved without the need for administration of insulin or at significantly reduced insulin levels. The company entered clinical trials for its diabetes product in 2007. LCT also is developing treatments for Huntington's disease and other neurological disorders that will involve implantation of micro-encapsulated choroids plexus cells to deliver beneficial proteins and neurotrophic factors to the brain. The company's technology has the potential for allowing healthy living cells to be injected into patients to replace or repair damaged tissue without requiring the use of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection. For further information please visit LCT - Living Cell Technologies - Targeting Huntington's Disease, Stroke, Type 1 Diabetes and Haemophilia.

[viranth]

5 people?

When will they give it to people paying for it?