Integrated Nanotherapeutics (INT), a biotechnology company focused on autoimmune disease treatments, has received an Industry Drug and Development Grant from Breakthrough T1D to further the development of its innovative immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D). The grant supports INT's research into a tolerizing therapeutic designed to train the immune system not to attack its own cells.
Novel Approach to Immune Tolerance
INT's therapeutic approach involves a combination vaccine-like product that utilizes their proprietary multi-cargo lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) platform. This platform co-delivers mRNA expressing antigens, which identify autoimmune antibodies, and small molecule immunomodulators, which reprogram self-attacking immune cells. The goal is to correct the autoimmune response that characterizes T1D.
In T1D, immune cells mistakenly target and destroy insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to a lifelong dependence on external insulin. INT's strategy aims to co-deliver beta cell self-antigens and immune-modifying molecules. This induces immune protection rather than attack, potentially preserving the remaining beta cells and halting disease progression. This process is known as tolerization.
Advantages Over Current Treatments
Currently, T1D management relies on insulin administration via multiple daily injections, pens, or pumps. INT's approach aims to provide a tolerizing therapy that doesn’t require frequent treatment administration and avoids the need for chronic immune suppression. Chronic immune suppression carries the risk of infections and other illnesses.
Collaboration and Future Directions
This research project will explore the use of INT’s technology platform, which employs multi-cargo lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver multiple antigens using mRNA, along with immune-modifying small molecules, to re-train the immune system.
"JDRF fellowships transformed my scientific career, empowering me to pursue my research ideas, connect with the T1D community and ultimately propelled me onto a career path of innovation with the goal of improving the lives of people living with T1D," says Heather Denroche, PhD, Director of Preclinical Development, Integrated Nanotherapeutics, Inc. and past holder of a JDRF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship.
INT’s collaboration with Breakthrough T1D further strengthens the company’s focus on T1D for this technology. This initiative exemplifies the translation of academic research into industry, originating from the JDRF Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia.
