 SB-509 contains the gene DNAa kind of biological blueprint for a protein. When a researcher injects SB-509 into your legs, the drug enters the muscle and nerve cells around the injection site and causes these cells to make a protein. This protein causes your cells to increase production of another protein called vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF, which may improve the structure and function of nerves. In addition, there are changes in the levels of 28 additional proteins in your cells. These proteins function to promote the growth of cells, are structures in cells, help synthesize products, and affect immune cells, and some have unknown functions. This increase in your own VEGF proteins may protect and repair the damaged nerves caused by diabetic neuropathy. 