Multi-donor allogeneic human retinal progenitor cell therapy (hRPC) 4sight

ReNeuron is a biotechnology company that is experienced in developing cell therapy treatments for degenerative diseases such as stroke rehabilitation and diseases of the retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), for which there are no known treatments. In RP, the light detecting photoreceptor cells in the eye die gradually over a period of time, and the ultimate consequence to the patient is vision loss. Our own preclinical scientific research shows that it is possible to either protect these photoreceptor cells from dying and/or replace the lost photoreceptors by injecting similar cells, from donated eye tissue, that are grown in culture in the laboratory. ReNeuron is currently conducting Phase I/II clinical studies in RP. The hRPC cells may have efficacy in many different retinal degenerative diseases of the eye, therefore, ReNeuron has ambitions to extend the use of hRPC into multiple indications. For our cell treatment therapy to fully exploit the market potential in the long term, we need to be able to make cells on an industrial scale, and we, therefore, need to be able to characterise and select more eye tissue donations. We must always ensure the quality and comparability of the hRPC cells during these clinical trials and when we eventually supply the market. Therefore, in this project our intention is to make new banks of cell product from different donors, and, develop scientifically validated assays to demonstrate that the cells that are produced from each donor have the same biological properties as the first cell product, and that these properties are maintained during the cell expansion that is part of the manufacturing process. These assays are essential to develop as they will form the basis of Quality Control of the cell product for use in humans, just like with other medicines. We have formed a consortium that will bring together expertise in all of the relevant areas that are needed to make this project a success. The UK has a strong position in developing cell therapies and the current project will add to strengthening this position. Also, if the project is successful, we will set the standards for the manufacture of multi-donor cell based therapies into the future.