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Type 1 diabetes (T1D), formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic, life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States, 30,000 new cases are estimated every year with half of those cases diagnosed in young children. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the patient’s immune system goes awry and attacks and destroys the pancreatic beta cells. Beta cells are responsible for regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels by producing precise amounts of the essential hormone insulin.

The discovery of injectable insulin in the 1920s changed T1D from a uniformly fatal disease with a life expectancy of months to one that could be carefully managed for decades through multiple daily blood glucose measurements and insulin injections. However, insulin injections are not a cure and patients face a lifetime of difficult disease management and serious complications including kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. Despite nearly a century passing since the discovery of insulin, insulin injection remains the only treatment available to patients.

Semma Therapeutics was founded to develop transformative therapies for patients who currently depend on insulin injections. Recent work in the laboratory of Professor Douglas Melton led to the discovery of a method to generate billions of functional, insulin-producing beta cells in the laboratory. These cells develop in islet-like clusters grown from stem cells. Initial preclinical work in animal models of diabetes has shown that transplantation of these cells are sufficient to control blood glucose levels. This breakthrough technology has been exclusively licensed to Semma Therapeutics for the development of a cell-based therapy for diabetes.

Ongoing research at Semma Therapeutics is focused on combining these proprietary cells with a state-of-the-art cell delivery and immune protection strategy that can protect these cells from the patient’s immune system and allow the beta cells to function as they do in non-diabetic individuals. Implantation of the beta cell-filled device has the potential to provide a true replacement for the missing beta cells in a diabetic patient and would not require patient immunosuppression. Semma Therapeutics is working to bring this new therapeutic option to the clinic and improve the lives of patients with diabetes.

SR One is the corporate venture capital arm of GlaxoSmithKline. The firm invests globally in emerging life science companies that are pursuing innovative science which will significantly impact medical care. We have a team of investment professionals, located in the US and UK. As a Team, our experience spans basic science, industry and the market. We take an active role in our portfolio companies and work with management teams and our fellow venture investors to create significant value. Our current portfolio includes approximately 35 private and public companies and since our founding in 1985, we have invested over $830MM in the biotech space. Our expanded remit also focuses on maximizing the value of GSK technological innovation to establish new businesses and revenue opportunities across a range of industries.

Regenevita is a WORLD LEADER in use of your own cells, coupled with important natural chemicals stored within our platelets, to be safely and effectively used to improve and enhance our body’s ability to repair damaged or aging tissues. With more than 20 years experience with Biocellular Regenerative Treatments in medical-surgical practice, we offer treatments which can greatly improve your ability to maintain and restore normal activities or appearance. Just the term “biocellular” says it all. We use your own platelets and cells from within your own fat tissue to enhance your ability to enjoy pain-free function and activities.

In 2014 we continued to build on our legacy of above market performance by strengthening our leadership in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical (MedSurg) and Neurotechnology & Spine. We delivered solid growth and financial results, completed a number of acquisitions, opened a new European Regional Headquarters (RHQ) and articulated our unique culture through a new mission statement and core values.