Koligo’s R&D is focused on technologies that would greatly improve patient access to cell/tissue transplant and improve the safety and efficacy of cell/tissue transplant products:
- Faster re-vascularization/inosculation of cell/tissue transplant to improve engraftment
- Host tolerance of the graft while minimizing need for immune suppressive drugs
- Better site of transplant administration for islets – i.e. not in the liver
- Scaffolding or other structure to keep cell/tissue in place in vivo
Culture of stromal vascular stem cells (SVF) and/or micro-vascular fragments (MVF) obtained from the recipient patient induces vascularization of the cells for transplant
- Significant functional vessel growth observed after about 10 days (image A)
- Improved function (better engraftment) observed in animal studies
Preliminary data indicate that culture of allogeneic islets with recipient SVF may reduce potential for host rejection of the transplant (“chimerize”)
Collagenase spheroids containing SVF/MVF and islets are scalable in production and provide a bio-degradable scaffold to deliver islets and allow for engraftment subcutaneously.
- 3D structure in which cells are suspended allow for better vascularization
- Allows for cells to be implanted in an organ-like structure, rather than be infused where cells could be lost
SPHEROIDS BEING 3D BIO-PRINTED
BIO-PRINTED 3D SPHEROID CONTAINING PANCREATIC ISLETS
SVF-ISLET-SPHEROIDS FUNCTION NORMALLY IN VITRO
SVF-ISLET SPHEROIDS: NONCLINICAL PROOF OF CONCEPT
