Preclinical translation of a novel therapy to induce organ transplant tolerance

This project will focus on the translation of world-leading UK research to deliver safety and efficacy data, to support development of a ground-breaking innovation that may transform organ transplantation by reducing/eliminating toxic immunosuppression, providing additional years of life, with reduced morbidities and cost.

The project uses ground-breaking technology to create a new thymus using biological tissue scaffolds and thymus cells. The bioengineered thymus has the potential to reprogramme the immune system such that recipients of organ transplants may recognise their new organ as "self" rather than reject it as "foreign". Current organ transplants require immunosuppressive drugs to ensure the organs are not rejected. The drugs can have toxic side-effects leading to cancer, infections and diabetes and can be life-limiting. A bioengineered thymus may overcome these side-effects, by teaching the recipients immune system to accept (not reject) the transplanted organ, removing the need for toxic drugs. This is a potentially life-changing and life-extending new therapy.

During the project, research work will generate scientific, safety and efficacy data to support the development of the bioengineered thymus, which will be reviewed by the UK regulatory body, MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). The MHRA is responsible for ensuring all new and existing medicines and therapies are safe. Outcomes from reviews with the MHRA will be used by the project team, to ensure the correct data is generated to support future application for a clinical trial to treat transplant patients.