The Center for Life Science Ventures (CLSV) has admitted a promising biotech startup company with deep roots at Cornell.
Persista Bio is pushing toward a goal that has tantalized scientists for decades: treating Type 1 diabetes – which affects 9 million people worldwide – without daily injections, pumps or immune-suppressing medicines.
Founded by Cornell alumna Linda Tempelman, Ph.D. ’93, and Professor Minglin Ma, the company’s core technology — developed in Ma’s lab and licensed through the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) — encapsulates insulin-producing cells within a nanofibrous membrane that shields them from immune rejection while allowing nutrients and insulin to pass freely. The system integrates an electrochemical oxygen generator, ensuring long-term cell survival and function without the need for immunosuppression.
