Regenerative medicine
Examples of regenerative medicine projects previously funded by Technology Transfer. See other areas.
Strategic Translation Award
Human embryonic stem cell derived red cell concentrates for clinical transfusion
There is a shortage of blood donors and recipients of blood transfusions are at risk of transmission of infectious diseases and incompatibility with the donor's blood.
These problems might be solved using human embryonic stem cells (hESC) that are free from infection, can be grown indefinitely in the laboratory and can be turned into many different cell types, including red blood cells, using precise culture conditions. Professor Marc Turner and colleagues at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow have been awarded translational funding to optimise the production of red blood cells from hESCs, to test whether they function properly and to scale up the process so they can be used as standard blood transfusions in clinical trials.
These problems might be solved using human embryonic stem cells (hESC) that are free from infection, can be grown indefinitely in the laboratory and can be turned into many different cell types, including red blood cells, using precise culture conditions. Professor Marc Turner and colleagues at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow have been awarded translational funding to optimise the production of red blood cells from hESCs, to test whether they function properly and to scale up the process so they can be used as standard blood transfusions in clinical trials.
Translation Award
A bio-resorbable, load bearing, tissue regenerative meniscal cartilage implant
The problem is compounded by the fact that the meniscal cartilage fails to heal naturally in around 95 per cent of cases, and standard clinical practise has been simply to remove the damaged part of the tissue. To protect the knee and preserve its long term functionality, an absorbable implant is required to take over the function of the damaged tissue in the short term while allowing the meniscal cartilage to heal properly in the long term. Orthox Ltd. is licensed to develop a new material, trademarked 'Spidrex®' and based on a silk protein, which pilot studies suggest meets the requirements for a meniscal implant. Principal Investigator and CEO of Orthox, Nick Skaer, has been awarded a Translation Award to design, develop and evaluate a Spidrex® meniscal cartilage implant and demonstrate its efficacy in a human clinical trial.
Damage to the meniscal cartilage can result in progressive degeneration of the knee joint, in some cases requiring total replacement of the knee joint with a metal and plastic implant.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the meniscal cartilage fails to heal naturally in around 95 per cent of cases, and standard clinical practise has been simply to remove the damaged part of the tissue. To protect the knee and preserve its long term functionality, an absorbable implant is required to take over the function of the damaged tissue in the short term while allowing the meniscal cartilage to heal properly in the long term. Orthox Ltd. is licensed to develop a new material, trademarked 'Spidrex®' and based on a silk protein, which pilot studies suggest meets the requirements for a meniscal implant. Principal Investigator and CEO of Orthox, Nick Skaer, has been awarded a Translation Award to design, develop and evaluate a Spidrex® meniscal cartilage implant and demonstrate its efficacy in a human clinical trial.
Translation Award
Repair of torn meniscal cartilage using stem cell bandage integration technology
Torn meniscus in the knee is a common injury that causes severe pain and discomfort and can prevent the sufferer from engaging in sporting activities.
The only available treatment for most such tears is to remove the damaged tissue (partial menisectomy). This will relieve the patient of pain but carries a high risk of osteoarthritis developing in the treated knee. Professor Anthony Hollander from the University of Bristol has received a Translation Award to develop a stem cell therapy to treat torn meniscus. The 'cell bandage' therapy will include delivery of the patient's own bone-marrow-derived stem cells into the damaged tissue using a biomembrane. The Translation Award will enable Professor Hollander to undertake all the preliminary work necessary in order to progress to a clinical trial within two to three years. The therapy will be developed by a University of Bristol spin-out company, Azellon cell therapeutics.
The only available treatment for most such tears is to remove the damaged tissue (partial menisectomy). This will relieve the patient of pain but carries a high risk of osteoarthritis developing in the treated knee. Professor Anthony Hollander from the University of Bristol has received a Translation Award to develop a stem cell therapy to treat torn meniscus. The 'cell bandage' therapy will include delivery of the patient's own bone-marrow-derived stem cells into the damaged tissue using a biomembrane. The Translation Award will enable Professor Hollander to undertake all the preliminary work necessary in order to progress to a clinical trial within two to three years. The therapy will be developed by a University of Bristol spin-out company, Azellon cell therapeutics.
Translation Award
A new concept in injectable scaffolds
RegenTec have developed a material that can be injected into the body and then is triggered to form a highly porous scaffold. The unique mechanism of scaffold formation allows the technology to deliver cells and proteins without compromising viability or activity. Furthermore, the porous architecture, proteins and cells are precisely located at a site within the body without prior knowledge of site size or shape. Under the Translation Award, RegenTec will develop this technology for orthopedic applications focusing on indications such as tibial plateau fractures. The award will fund final product optimisation activities and the completion of preclinical studies prior to clinical studies and product launch.
A major bottleneck in the field of regenerative medicine in the development of clinically robust and economically viable treatments.
RegenTec have developed a material that can be injected into the body and then is triggered to form a highly porous scaffold. The unique mechanism of scaffold formation allows the technology to deliver cells and proteins without compromising viability or activity. Furthermore, the porous architecture, proteins and cells are precisely located at a site within the body without prior knowledge of site size or shape. Under the Translation Award, RegenTec will develop this technology for orthopedic applications focusing on indications such as tibial plateau fractures. The award will fund final product optimisation activities and the completion of preclinical studies prior to clinical studies and product launch.