Isolation of Stem Cell Precursors and Expansion in Non-Adherent Conditions
Ian McNiece
Problem
There is a pressing need for development of cellular products that provide therapeutic benefits to patients. A number of clinical trials have been performed with cellular products that fail to integrate into the damaged tissue and regenerate functional cells.
Solution
The culture conditions we have developed for the generation of non adherent MSC (NA-MSC) provides a therapeutic product with enhanced potential for integration into damaged tissue and may provide enhanced therapeutic benefit. In addition, the cellular formulation developed provides a closed system for generation of cellular products which decreases the potential of contamination and that allows for passage without the use of enzyme treatment such as trypsin.
Competitive Advantage
Unique method that cultures and expands stem cells providing a formulation with greater potential for integration into tissues in vivo.
Applications
All therapeutic applications of stem cells including transplantation.
Patent Status
International patent application was filed on May 15, 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
The University of Miami is looking for a commercialization partner. An exclusive worldwide license is available.
About the Inventors
Dr Ian McNiece has worked in the field of cellular therapy for more than 20 years both in industry (Amgen Inc) and in academia. He was recruited from Johns Hopkins University to be the Director of the Experimental and Clinical Cell Based Therapies Program in the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami. He has published more than 100 peer reviewed papers on cellular therapy and in vitro generation of therapeutic cell products. He has held several INDs for clinical trials evaluating ex vivo cultured cell products.
Selected References
McNiece IK, Turney J, Chia A, Wei H (2006). Culture of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) under non-adherent conditions for tissue repair. Cytotherapy 8 (suppl 1):284a.
McNiece I, de la Portilla L, Goldschmidt L, Wang Y (2008). Generation of non adherent
mesenchymal stem cells (NA-MSC) in a closed culture system for tissue repair. Cytotherapy 10(suppl 1):39a.
