The Ministry of Health has recently approved that more research can be conducted on examining the effectiveness of pig cells on type 1 diabetic patients.

Michael Helyer was the first patient, who was injected with the pig cells in his abdomen fourteen years ago has been enjoying the benefits till date.

“This is a world first therapy and New Zealand is the first to have a product that has phased through trials and we're certainly on the map around the world”, says Susanne Clay of Living Cell Technologies.

The use of the drug diabecell has been approved and registered in Russia and is soon expected to be registered in New Zealand within 12 months. The drug has successfully shown its benefits and thus, the period of testing has moved a step ahead.

Susanne Clay added that by far the drug has been tested on people who have either high blood sugar or low blood sugar. however if the drug proves beneficial to the people suffering type 1 diabetes like Mr. Helyer, the drug will be soon made available for those patients. The final clinical trials of the drug will allow them to apply for the approval in New Zealand.