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Kangstem Biotech strives to develop an innovative new drug for patients suffering from rare and incurable diseases.
Kangstem Biotech-Optifarm Accelerates Development Of Next Generation Diabetes Treatment With Combination Of Stem Cell-Based Pancreatic Organoids And Transgenic Pig Heterogeneous Organ Transplant Technology
30
2025.07
- Joint Research Agreement (MOU) for Insulin-dependent Diabetes Treatment Using Pancreatic Organoids
Kangstem Biotech and Optipharm announced on the 30th that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint research on the development of next-generation diabetes treatments using islet organoids. Through this agreement, the two companies plan to combine the technology for producing islet organoids derived from stem cells with xenotransplantation technology using genetically engineered pigs. Their aim is to confirm the therapeutic effect of islet organoids in insulin-dependent diabetes in large animals, including non-human primates, and to begin full-scale R&D for the commercialization of this treatment.
Based on its accumulated expertise in stem cell research and cell therapy development, Kangstem Biotech possesses proprietary platform technology for producing islet organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Using this technology, the company has successfully created organoids with enhanced insulin secretion capacity compared to conventional methods. Preliminary results from mouse models of diabetes showed that transplantation of these organoids maintained blood glucose levels close to normal.
Optipharm has advanced expertise in generating genetically engineered pigs, isolating islets, and conducting xenotransplantation. The company leads research in transplantation that minimizes immune rejection. Through this partnership, the two companies aim to combine their technological strengths to develop a next-generation diabetes treatment using islet transplantation that is both safe and effective.
CEO of Kangstem Biotech, stated, “Unlike in mice, evaluating islet organoid efficacy in pigs—whose organ size, structure, and blood flow are more similar to humans—will allow for more accurate assessments of insulin secretion and optimization of cell dosage for transplantation. By combining our organoid technology with a robust xenotransplantation platform, we aim to offer a new therapeutic solution for diabetic patients.”
CEO of Optipharm, added, “By integrating Optipharm’s genetically engineered pig-based transplantation platform with Kangstem Biotech’s stem cell-derived islet organoid technology, we believe we can create a globally competitive solution in the diabetes therapeutics market.”
As of 2025, the global diabetes treatment market is expected to reach approximately USD 70 billion, and demand for fundamental treatment approaches such as islet transplantation is rapidly increasing. Beginning with this MOU, the two companies plan to sequentially advance platform development for large-scale production of islet organoids, establish xenotransplantation models, and proceed with preclinical and clinical research to accelerate the development and commercialization of treatments for diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
▲ Kangstem Biotech CEO Na Jong-cheon (center left), Optifarm CEO Kim Hyun-il (center right), Kangstem Biotech, Kangstem Biotech CEO Na Jong-cheon (center left), Optifarm CEO Kim Hyun-il (center right), Kangstem Biotech, Optifarm participants