Research & Development Partner: University of Perugia, Italy
ALTuCELL is proud to partner with the University of Perugia in Italy, a globally recognized leader in cell encapsulation research. The partnership is anchored in the Laboratory of Endocrinology and Cell Transplantation, founded in 1987 by Professor Riccardo Calafiore within the Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine.
This pioneering laboratory has been at the forefront of developing microencapsulation technologies using natural biopolymers, particularly sodium alginate derived from marine brown seaweed. Over the past two decades, the team has developed proprietary methods to ultra-purify alginate, transforming it into a clinical-grade biomaterial suitable for human use, and refining microcapsule size, shape, and mechanical properties to meet therapeutic needs.
Professor Calafiore’s groundbreaking work has significantly advanced the field of cell-based therapy, particularly in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). In 1989, his team became the first to implant microencapsulated human islet cells into diabetic patients, demonstrating both safety and biocompatibility without the need for immunosuppression.
Key achievements from this collaboration include:
Currently, ALTuCELL and the University of Perugia are engaged in an ongoing Human Pilot Study focused on encapsulated human pancreatic islet transplantation in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. This work represents a critical step toward scalable, clinically viable cell-based therapies that can restore function without compromising immune safety.