PHILADELPHIA, PA — Century Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPSC) has unveiled its first program targeting Type 1 diabetes, introducing an engineered cell therapy designed to restore natural insulin production without the need for chronic immunosuppression. The candidate, CNTY-813, uses iPSC-derived beta islets enhanced with the company’s Allo-Evasion™ 5.0 technology to evade T cell, NK cell, and antibody-driven immune rejection.
The company says its approach has the potential to deliver durable glycemic control for people with T1D, a population that remains heavily dependent on lifelong insulin therapy and vulnerable to serious complications. Century expects to begin Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies by the end of 2025, with a possible IND submission as early as 2026.
Preclinical data show CNTY-813 produced rapid reversal of diabetes in mouse models, restoring and maintaining normal glucose levels while generating human C-peptide and demonstrating mature glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The platform’s engineered edits—removal of HLA class I and II, addition of NK-inhibitory signaling, and protection from antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity—are intended to shield transplanted beta islets from immune attack.
Century has also advanced a suspension bioreactor process capable of manufacturing functional, mature beta islets at scale, a critical requirement for clinical development and eventual broad patient access.
“With our cell foundry and Allo-Evasion 5.0 technology, we have engineered iPSC-derived beta islets that we believe can deliver durable glycemic control without chronic immunosuppression,” said Chad Cowan, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Century Therapeutics. He cited sustained glucose normalization, strong insulin-secreting function, and evidence of immune resistance as key milestones supporting the program’s potential.
James Markmann, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President for Transplantation Services at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, called the therapy’s promise a significant shift for T1D care. “An off-the-shelf, immune-evasive beta islet therapy that restores physiologic insulin production without systemic immunosuppression would represent a paradigm shift,” he said.
With early data showing both biological potency and immune protection, Century is positioning CNTY-813 as a possible next-generation option for the roughly 1.4 million Americans living with Type 1 diabetes. The coming IND-enabling studies will determine whether the ambitious preclinical platform can advance toward human trials.
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