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An Israeli SME developed a procedure for selection of stem-cells according to their function rather than morphological markers. In in-vivo studies, the procedure increased tolerance and reduced side effects in bone-marrow transplants, and improved recovery from autoimmune diabetes. The company seeks strategic alliances for co-development of the lead indications as well as for developing future services.
The identification of specific cell
markers and characteristics of stem cells has been only partially successful thus far. Several
specific cell molecules are currently in use for stem cell isolation, but there is no agreement on
unique markers and “stemness signatures”. For example, bone marrow transplants have succeeded using
stem cells selected by “specific markers” which function is poorly characterized and none are
distinctive.
The SME developed an alternative way to select stem cells: selection by function. Cell
death (apoptosis) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell growth in the fetus and adult. The
resistance to death is an intrinsic mechanism in a variety of stem cells and disappears upon
differentiation and proliferation.
Through intensive laboratory work, the SME formulated a
procedure that exploits this resistant characteristic of stem cells so that they survive treatment
while other cells undergo apoptosis. The procedure involves binding of cell surface receptors that
normally signal cell death in differentiating and proliferating cells, thereby providing the means
for isolation of stem cells from non-stem cells. Since stemness is basically a state in which some
cells can get into and out from, using the functional characteristics of a stem cells makes much
more sense when trying to isolate these populations.
Selection by function was tested by the SME in
two different areas:
•Bone marrow before transplantation for malignancy. The procedure was tested in
both In-Vitro and In-Vivo conditions in mouse models and was found to increase tolerance and reduce
side effects of bone marrow transplantation.
•Treatment of autoimmune Diabetes (juvenile diabetes).
The procedure was used in NOD mice and has shown recovery from full blown diabetes as well as
delayed onset of overt diabetes in pre-diabetic mice.
These two products are ready for formal pre
clinical and clinical development.
Innovative Aspects:
Innovations:
•Isolation system based on
functional and not morphologic aspects of stem cells, allowing more physiological cell selection.
•Efficient elimination of non-stem cells leading to improved clinical outcome.
•Multiple
applications in unmet clinical needs
•Wide patent protection
•No modification or genetic
manipulation of stem cell hence relatively short time to market. •The ability to better enrich a
given cell population means that more cells can be transplanted which explains the better
engraftment shown in animal models.
•The fact that this [procedure is done when cells are out of the
patient means that the patient is not exposed to any foreign materials or invasive procedures.
•The
purity of the transplanted cells explains the reduction in graft versus host disease which is both
the most morbid side effect and the major costs related to Bone marrow transplantation.
•Taken
together these products are expected to become mandatory as a direct requests of both patients,
physicians and health care insurance companies.
Domain of Application
-Stem-cell-based drug and product
development.
-Improving clinical outcome in malignancies and autoimmune conditions.
-Screening and
identifying disease targets.
-Research of differentiation pathways.
-Identifying and manipulating
cell lineages.
Stage of Development
Development phase - Laboratory tested
Exploitation of RTD Results
None
IPR
Patent(s) granted
•In-Vivo proof of concept.
Company
Details
Size: < 10
Collaboration Type
- Adaptation to specific needs
- Financial Resources
- Joint further development
- Joint Venture Agreement
- License Agreement
-Type of Partner: Industry
-Specific area of activity of partner:
Companies conducting stem-cell-based drug discovery and product development.
Or:
Ccompanies interested in understanding differentiation pathways, identifying factors needed to manipulate cell lineages, improving screening assays and identifying disease targets.
- Task to be performed by the partner sought: Partner should make use of technology in industry or cooperate in development.
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