A novel approach to unlock improved regenerative outcomes
Exploring the use of mature, functional, ECM-encapsulated neural cells to improve safety, efficacy and integration of cell therapy
Game-Changing Approach
Implantable, functional brain micro-tissues
RealBrain® micro-tissues are being developed as an off-the-shelf, implantable regenerative therapy consisting of established neural networks and human brain extracellular matrix.
Due to their micro-scale (100-200 um), RealBrain® micro-tissues pass through specialised needles for intracranial injection without disrupting the pre-formed neural networks. This will allow them to be delivered to lesions of any size, and coalesce with the host brain tissue.
Cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Tessara is developing TTX-001, an off-the-shelf, dopamine-replacement therapy for patients living with Parkinson’s Disease.
Safety & Efficacy
Functional verification of mature micro-tissues
RealBrain® micro-tissues used as a cell therapy have the potential to improve transplant safety.
The ability to generate micro-tissues ex-vivo allows us to perform pre-implantation analysis on the transplants and confirm the absence of unwanted cellular populations or cell-secreted factors that may cause off-target side effects.
Transplant Integration
Natural ECM protects cells & improves integration
Mature RealBrain® micro-tissues feature natural, cell-secreted ECM that eliminates the need for dissociation of cells prior to transplantation.
Grafting encapsulated cells without disruption of their micro-environment is expected to significantly reduce the occurrence of post-transplant cell death, and improve integration of new cells into the targeted region of the brain.
While the micro-tissues stay confined to the area of interest, the extracellular matrix of the implants acts as a scaffold to enable integration with the native brain tissue and support regeneration.
The benefits of RealBrain® micro-tissues
Cell maturity
Transplantation of functionally mature cells reduces the risk associated with unguided stem cell differentiation post grafting
Functional verification
Mature micro-tissues can be screened for both cell identity and key functional capacity prior to implantation, increasing the strength of quality controls and release criteria
Targeted delivery
The cell populations found in RealBrain® micro-tissues can be delivered to specific sites in the brain. Upcoming trials will quantify how this approach reduces the unwanted migration and unguided differentiation often associated with single-cell stem cell transplants