Translating Angicyte® from allogeneic to autologous – a robust development process for a low-cost vascular therapy for personalised medicine
Lead Participant:
VASCVERSA LTD
Abstract
**Public Description**
**A regenerative medicine for vascular disease**
VascVersa is developing a groundbreaking cell therapy known as Angicyte, designed to treat vascular ischaemic diseases, which are conditions caused by insufficient blood supply to tissues. Angicyte works by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels in areas with low oxygen levels , to promote vascular repair. We believe this treatment has the potential to benefit a broad range of vascular conditions which at present are incurable.
**Translating allogeneic therapy into an autologous, personalised medicine**
Currently, Angicyte is produced by isolating endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) from umbilical cord blood. This allows us to treat a large number of patients with the same therapy, but it is not matched to the patient. In this project, we will develop techniques to produce Angicyte from a patient's own blood. Unfortunately, the number of ECFCs decline with age so they are much harder to isolate. To address this issue, VascVersa is using its novel cell isolation methods in combination with advanced protein-engineering technologies provided by its partner, MarraBio. Additionally, insights from high-throughput proteomics from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult will help refine the process.
The goal is to create a highly reproducible method for isolating patient-derived Angicyte that meets VascVersa's quality standards. This autologous therapy will allow for personalised treatment while maintaining cost-effectiveness, which is a major challenge in the current autologous cell therapy market, where high costs are a significant barrier to widespread adoption. In addition, the project will enable MarraBio to develop new cell culture reagents specifically designed to meet VascVersa's needs.
**A new market for NI's leading cell therapy developer**
VascVersa is leading the way in cell therapy development in Northern Ireland, and through this project will continue to grow and contribute to the local Life and Health Sciences sector, creating new job opportunities. Over the next 12 months, VascVersa will build a partnership with MarraBio, a successful UK-based spinout company specialising in protein manufacturing. This collaboration will bring new technical expertise into Northern Ireland's life sciences cluster, enhancing the region's capabilities. With the increasing success of autologous cell therapies, VascVersa is well-positioned to enter the personalised medicine market and help transform how vascular diseases are treated.
**A regenerative medicine for vascular disease**
VascVersa is developing a groundbreaking cell therapy known as Angicyte, designed to treat vascular ischaemic diseases, which are conditions caused by insufficient blood supply to tissues. Angicyte works by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels in areas with low oxygen levels , to promote vascular repair. We believe this treatment has the potential to benefit a broad range of vascular conditions which at present are incurable.
**Translating allogeneic therapy into an autologous, personalised medicine**
Currently, Angicyte is produced by isolating endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) from umbilical cord blood. This allows us to treat a large number of patients with the same therapy, but it is not matched to the patient. In this project, we will develop techniques to produce Angicyte from a patient's own blood. Unfortunately, the number of ECFCs decline with age so they are much harder to isolate. To address this issue, VascVersa is using its novel cell isolation methods in combination with advanced protein-engineering technologies provided by its partner, MarraBio. Additionally, insights from high-throughput proteomics from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult will help refine the process.
The goal is to create a highly reproducible method for isolating patient-derived Angicyte that meets VascVersa's quality standards. This autologous therapy will allow for personalised treatment while maintaining cost-effectiveness, which is a major challenge in the current autologous cell therapy market, where high costs are a significant barrier to widespread adoption. In addition, the project will enable MarraBio to develop new cell culture reagents specifically designed to meet VascVersa's needs.
**A new market for NI's leading cell therapy developer**
VascVersa is leading the way in cell therapy development in Northern Ireland, and through this project will continue to grow and contribute to the local Life and Health Sciences sector, creating new job opportunities. Over the next 12 months, VascVersa will build a partnership with MarraBio, a successful UK-based spinout company specialising in protein manufacturing. This collaboration will bring new technical expertise into Northern Ireland's life sciences cluster, enhancing the region's capabilities. With the increasing success of autologous cell therapies, VascVersa is well-positioned to enter the personalised medicine market and help transform how vascular diseases are treated.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| VASCVERSA LTD | £109,310 | £ 76,517 |
Participant |
||
| MARRABIO LIMITED | £99,771 | £ 69,840 |
| CELL THERAPY CATAPULT LIMITED | £89,606 | £ 89,606 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Fiona Cunningham (Project Manager) |