Xeno-free BDACs

Overview

Establishment of a procedure to isolate and culture human peripheral blood-derived angiogenic cells (BDACs) for the treatment of ischemic diseases and comparing their therpaeutic efficacy for the treatment of Critical limb ischemia (CLI) to the current godl-standard (Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)).

Technical name of innovation

BDACs

Research completion

2021

Commercialisation opportunities

technology licensing agreement

Problem addressed

CLI is the most severe form of peripheral artery disease with impaired blood supply to peripheral tissues and results in hypoxia, inflammation, vascular dysfunction and muscle degeneration. Patients with CLI experience rest-pain, non-healing ulcers, gangrene and are at high risk of lower extremity amputations. Hence, CLI is a major cause of disability and a major socio-economic burden globally.

Innovation

Isolation of BDACs under xeno-free (animal component free culture) conditions - paving the way their clinical application
Sourcing BDACs in clinically relevant numbers and time frame
Demonstrating its superior therapeutic potential as compared to the current therapeutic gold standard, MSCs

Key impact

The patient's own cells can be isolated from an easily accesible source (periheral blood) and utilized without major risks or discomfort for the patient.
Cells can be sourced under GMP-compliable conditions
BDACs performed better than the current gold-standard, MSCs.

Award

Results were presented at: Joint Meeting of ESCHM-ISCH-ISB 2021
Results will be presented at TERMIS-AP 2022
Manuscript with the most recent data is currently under revision in SCRT.

Application

Cell-based therapy for the treatment of CLI

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all around the world. Four Nobel laureates are associated with the university, and it is the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong with recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal and Veblen Prize sitting as faculty in residence. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an extensive alumni network. CUHK undertakes a wide range of research programmes in many subject areas, and strives to provide scope for all academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry.

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