Will These Scientists and Their Cows Help Cure Type 1 Diabetes?

Yes, you read that right—cows! 

And there’s a heartwarming story about a little girl who was once on the brink of developing type 1 diabetes, but she hasn’t needed daily insulin therapy for over four years, thanks to this innovative research.

Here’s a closer look at this unorthodox research.

A Closer Look at SAB BioSciences

Meet SAB BioSciences, a company founded in 2014 in South Dakota by a talented team that includes molecular biologist Eddie Sullivan. 

SAB first gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for developing an anti-COVID drug as part of “Operation Warp Speed.” However, as of 2023, the company has shifted its focus entirely to type 1 diabetes (T1D), which affects millions worldwide.

Under the leadership of current CEO Sam Reich, a molecular biologist and entrepreneur, SAB is making strides in the fight against this chronic disease.

With partnerships from organizations like Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as JDRF), they have secured funding to propel their research forward.

YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT SAB BIO: https://youtu.be/WjPNy_nnP4I

The Role of Cloned Cows in Diabetes Research

Now, let’s get back to those cows! SAB BioSciences is using genetically engineered cows that live comfortably in air-conditioned barns. These cows are not just your average livestock; they have been modified to produce human immunoglobulin (IgG).

What is Immunoglobulin?

Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are crucial proteins that help the body fight infections. The most common type, IgG, is found in the blood and tissues and helps combat various diseases.

Obtaining IgG for medical use has traditionally relied on plasma donations from healthy humans, which can be time-consuming and expensive. However, the demand for human plasma is high, as it is used to treat many severe conditions, including burns, liver diseases, and certain types of cancer.

The Breakthrough with Anti-Thymocyte Globulin

Currently, there’s a medication called thymoglobulin, which contains rabbit IgG and is used to support patients post-organ transplant. This medication can instruct your immune system's T-cells (the soldier cells) to stop attacking the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. 

However, there’s a little flaw: patients can only receive this treatment once due to the risk of developing “serum sickness,” a dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effect. 

This brings us back to the little girl mentioned earlier. Diagnosed with antibodies indicating early-stage type 1 diabetes at just eight years old, she participated in a study where she received a single dose of rabbit IgG. Today, four years later, she still hasn’t progressed to needing insulin, and her blood sugar levels are totally normal. 

Nevertheless, because the treatment was derived from rabbits, she cannot receive any additional doses because of the risk of serum sickness. And now you understand why there is a desperate need for a human version of this therapy!

This is where SAB BioSciences steps in. They are developing a human version of anti-thymocyte globulin that can be dosed multiple times without the risk of serum sickness. And great news: in an ongoing clinical trial, none of the participants have experienced any adverse reactions!

The Vision: Protecting Beta Cells

The ultimate goal of SAB BioSciences is twofold: to protect existing beta cells in individuals with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes and to collaborate with companies that specialize in beta cell replacement therapies, like Vertex. 

These partnerships could mean you combine Vertex’s therapy (manufactured cells that produce insulin) with SAB BioScience’s therapy, which protects the new cells from your immune system! 

With the ability to produce human IgG from cattle, SAB BioSciences also eliminates the dependency on human plasma donations. This breakthrough could extend beyond diabetes, potentially changing treatments for various immune-related conditions.

This is Why You Should Screen Your Children for Type 1 Diabetes

This research is one of the many examples of why it is so important to screen your children and family members for the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes!

I’ve screened my children for the early stages of T1D multiple times.

Most kids develop these autoantibodies by age five, even if T1D doesn’t fully kick in until they’re teenagers or beyond. This means it’s never too early to get your child screened. (It’s also never too late! T1D can develop at any age — even well into your 40s or 50s or 60s!)

What’s Next for SAB BioSciences?

Currently, SAB BioSciences is conducting clinical trials in Australia, focusing on newly diagnosed patients with stage 3 type 1 diabetes — essentially those newly diagnosed but still producing some of their own beta cells. 

Future trials will expand to stage 2 participants, where blood sugar levels aren’t normal but aren’t high enough to cause symptoms or require daily insulin therapy yet.

Here’s a closer look at those stages. There are three stages of type 1 diabetes based on the presence of autoantibodies:

• Stage 1: Two or more autoantibodies but normal blood sugar.
• Stage 2: Two or more autoantibodies, abnormal blood sugar, but no symptoms yet.
• Stage 3: Symptoms show up, blood sugar is high, and insulin is a must! 

Australia was chosen for these trials because of its supportive clinical research environment. The FDA in the United States will recognize the results, paving the way for trials in North America and Europe.

A Heartfelt Thanks

Here’s a huge thank you to the scientists at SAB BioSciences and their extraordinary cows. This innovative approach to curing type 1 diabetes could completely change lives for individuals whose immune systems attack and destroy the cells in their pancreas that produce insulin.