Novo Nordisk A/S, a focused healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care, along with Cellartis AB, a forefront stem cell biotechnology company, and Lund University Stem Cell Center have signed a collaborative research pact for the development of insulin producing cells from human stem cells. 

Under the deal, Novo Nordisk acquired the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize potential products for the treatment of diabetes, while Cellartis acquired the exclusive rights to further develop and commercialize certain other products resulting from the technologies developed under the collaboration.

The alliance aims to develop a cell therapy for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes and, in the longer term, a cure for diabetes.