Sana Biotechnology Inc. (NASDAQ: SANA) and Mayo Clinic announced a strategic collaboration to advance development of SC451, an investigational cell therapy for type 1 diabetes.

The partnership will focus on developing protocols and processes for SC451, a hypoimmune-modified pancreatic islet cell therapy designed to provide long-term glucose control without ongoing insulin therapy or immunosuppression. Mayo Clinic will contribute expertise in surgical procedures, clinical trial design, and standardizing product handling and delivery.

SC451 uses Sana's hypoimmune technology to modify stem cell-derived pancreatic islet cells to avoid immune rejection. The company reported that in an investigator-sponsored study, transplanted pancreatic islets modified with this technology survived and functioned for over a year in a type 1 diabetes patient without immunosuppression.

Mayo Clinic will make an equity investment in Sana as part of the collaboration, with an option for additional investment. The healthcare organization aims to strengthen its capabilities in delivering investigational islet cell therapies.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Mayo Clinic as we advance SC451 toward a clinical trial that we are aiming to start this year," said Steve Harr, Sana's president and chief executive officer.

Sana plans to file an Investigational New Drug application and initiate a Phase 1 clinical study of SC451 this year. The Seattle-based company focuses on developing engineered cells as medicines and has operations in Washington, Massachusetts, and California.

The collaboration will develop workflows for SC451 delivery across Mayo Clinic facilities and other global sites, according to the companies' joint statement.