Sangamo BioSciences Inc has entered into an agreement with LifeScan Inc, a Johnson & Johnson company and a leading manufacturer of blood glucose meters, that provides LifeScan with Sangamo's proprietary zinc finger DNA binding proteins (ZFPs) for use in a programme to develop therapeutic cell lines as a potential treatment for diabetes. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"LifeScan Inc is a world leader in blood glucose monitoring and diabetes management and we are pleased to be able to provide them with ZFP TFs to aid in the development of this new therapeutic approach," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive officer. "This program also represents Sangamo's first collaboration in the important field of regenerative medicine," he added.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make, or does not properly regulate the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the body to store and use the energy from sugar, starches and other foods. The result is that the body doesn't get the energy it needs, and unmetabolized sugar (glucose), builds up in the blood causing damage to the body and its systems.

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc is focused on the research and development of novel DNA-binding proteins for therapeutic gene regulation and repair. The company's most advanced therapeutic development programme, currently in a Phase I clinical trial, involves the use of transcription factors for the treatment of peripheral artery disease.