Helmholtz Zentrum München allies with Eli Lilly and Company to discover new targets for pancreatic beta cell regeneration in the treatment of diabetes
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The Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research at Helmholtz Zentrum München and the global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) have entered a new strategic research collaboration in the field of pancreatic beta cell regeneration. The joint goal is to improve and accelerate treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes mellitus is a complex and multifactorial disease characterized by progressive loss or dysfunction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Its long-term complications and co-morbidities represent one of the most devastating and urgent threats to our society. While significant progress has been made in diabetes management, none of today's therapies are able to stop or reverse disease progression. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic approaches that modify the course of disease represents an urgent need for diabetes research.
This new collaboration between Helmholtz Zentrum München and Lilly will focus on the identification, validation and targeting of novel pathways and molecules for triggering endogenous beta cell regeneration. The long-term goal is to develop new therapies that preserve and/or restore mass and functionality of patient's remaining beta cells during diabetes progression.
Prof. Heiko Lickert, Director of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, said: "We are excited to be working with Lilly. This collaboration is a perfect opportunity to combine the strength of our basic and translational research performed at Helmholtz Zentrum München with Lilly's expertise in drug discovery and development for diabetes therapy."
Ruth Gimeno, Ph.D., Vice President, diabetes research and clinical investigations at Lilly, stated: "Slowing diabetes progression and reversing the course of disease is an important goal of diabetes research at Lilly. We are excited to be working with Helmholtz Zentrum München to identify pathways and targets that have the potential to translate into novel disease-modifying therapies for people living with diabetes."
About the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research at Helmholtz Zentrum München
The research activities of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) headed by Prof. Dr. Heiko Lickert focus on the biological and physiological study of the pancreas and the insulin producing beta cells ( https://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/idr/index.html). Here, experts in the field of developmental biology, stem cell research and metabolic disease work together on solutions for beta cell replacement and in vivoregeneration of functional beta cell mass for diabetic patients.
In congruence with the mission of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, and in close cooperation with the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research and its partners from the Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC) have acquired a world-leading position in discovery and validation of novel therapeutic targets and development of novel precision medicines to prevent, treat, and eventually cure all types of Diabetes and its related complications.
About Helmholtz Zentrum München
Helmholtz Zentrum München, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, pursues the goal of developing personalized medical approaches for the prevention and therapy of major common diseases such as diabetes, allergies and lung diseases. To achieve this, it investigates the interaction of genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle. The Helmholtz Zentrum München is headquartered in Neuherberg in the north of Munich and has about 2,500 staff members. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, a community of 19 scientific-technical and medical-biological research centers with a total of about 37,000 staff members. www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/en
Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH) Ingolstädter Landstraße 1 D-85764 Neuherberg Telefon: +49 89 3187-0 Internet: www.helmholtz-muenchen.de E-Mail: presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Matthias H. Tschöp, Kerstin Günther Registergericht: Amtsgericht München HRB 6466 Umsatzsteueridentifikationsnummer: DE 129521671 Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende: MinDir'in Prof. Dr. Veronika von Messling