ExocyTher SIGNED

Project "ExocyTher" data sheet

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 Project objective

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from stem cells (SCs) may recapitulate the therapeutic effect of their mother cells in regenerative medicine while mitigating risks of uncontrolled replication, differentiation and vascular occlusion, offering “off-the-shelf”, storage and shelf-life gains. Yet, the clinical translation of SC EV therapy is hampered by production, engineering and administration challenges. Building on my preliminary results, ExocyTher aims at developing SC EV therapy through: (1) standardized scalable high-yield EV production: I propose the concept of turbulence vesiculation to induce EV release from adipose SCs (ASCs) by a controlled turbulence shear stress integrated to large-scale cell culture in bioreactors; (2) optimised delivery: I propose EV administration in a synergic fistula-occlusive companion gel (injectable at <20°C and gelling at body temperature) in the attempt to fill the entire fistula tract and retain EVs at the site of interest; ExocyTher will tackle the therapy of fistulas, a major health burden related to Crohn's disease or secondary to surgery, cancer therapy or trauma, affecting millions of people in Europe with a high morbidity rate. All-in-one turbulence-triggered vesiculation and priming are expected to provide ASC EVs in high yield and with improved immunomodulatory properties specially for a more efficient therapy of inflammatory Crohn’s disease fistulas. Capitalizing on the use of a gel medical device authorized in Europe as an off-label fistula occlusive EV vehicle and considering key regulatory issues, ExocyTher will set the basis for the first clinical trial on ASC EV fistula therapy. ExocyTher concepts may be extended to other EV parent cell types or therapy indications, foreseeing a high scientific and technological impact.