The field of cell therapy is advancing apace, driven by innovation in cell engineering and proliferation technology. However, challenges remain that could be addressed with biomaterials. Challenges such as cell implantation, cell retention and immune-shielding. The distinct characteristics of electrospun materials, including scalability, minimal immunogenicity, regulatory familiarity and the ability to create a custom product, mean that they are well suited for these applications.
The Kalyptix® technology platform comprises an immuno-protective bilayer membrane enclosing cells on carrier scaffolds:
- NANO layer with tuneable porosity to control diffusion and flux of molecules which acts as a barrier to cells;
- MICRO layer which is adaptable to a wide range of cells or host tissues.
Schematic depiction of a macroencapsulation device
Cell therapies and regenerative medicine have the potential to produce effective, long-lasting treatments and cures for a range of diseases. Recently there have been major advances in designing, controlling, and tailoring relevant cells and organoids for such cures. This progress has brought the concept of therapeutic cell factories closer to becoming real devices which can act as artificial organs and allow patients to lead a symptom-free life.
As our understanding of the cellular aspects of such treatments becomes more comprehensive, the focus for research and innovation is shifting towards the development of appropriate biomaterials to house the cells so devices can facilitate the efficacy of the therapy.
Download our new White Paper to understand more about the current state of biomaterials for cell encapsulation devices, including electrospun biomaterials and their clinical utility in this growing area.
This white paper will explore the use of biomaterials as vehicles to deliver cell therapies and as environments to optimise the chances of success for the therapy. It aims to identify how biomaterials can either mimic the features of natural cell environments in healthy people or be tailored towards the specific needs of cells used in a given therapeutic context.
This white paper further strives to educate the reader on the multifaceted requirements of such biomaterials and how different cell therapies – and the challenges associated with them – require tailored biomaterial solutions.
Biomaterials have been used extensively over millennia in ancient and modern medicine for implantable medical devices. While cell therapies undoubtedly have a pivotal part to play in the future of medicine, the possible synergy with an “old” technology such as biomaterials could help support that transition. This white paper will continue our deep dive into biomaterials for cell therapies with a focus on real examples that are either already in use in the clinic or near to clinical application. The examples considered are in different therapeutic areas such as oncology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and neurology. It will present select case studies, highlighting applications where biomaterials are improving upon, or enabling promising new cell therapies. As part of this it will focus on the electrospinning platform technology as a promising contender to overcome some of the complex challenges that biomaterials face to successfully deliver cell therapies