Multifunctional cell microcarriers for high throughput cell culture and enzyme-free cell harvesting

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RepliCel is a regenerative medicine company that develops autologous cell therapies to treat chronic tendinosis, UV-damaged or aged skin, and pattern baldness. The cells in this technology are isolated from skin biopsies that are obtained from patients, cultured in two-dimensional flasks for up to a month and a half, harvested using enzymes, and delivered in the patients using RepliCel's proprietary, next-generation injection device. Recently, the successful completion of its first-in-human clinical study of the Company's autologous cell therapy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) was reported. As such, RepliCel seeks novel technologies to improve their cell culture process, which is currently time-consuming, labor-intensive, and low-throughput. The overarching goal of this collaborative research and development proposal is to develop an innovative platform that enables culturing a large number of adherent cells in small volumetric footprints is imperative for meeting lot requirements at different scales. ****In this project, we will use a multifaceted approach that combines microfluidic technology, advanced materials, and drug delivery to grow cells in large quantities and harvest them without using cell-destructive enzymes. This technology will allow RepliCel to compete in the ever-increasing market of cell therapy approaches for the treatment of chronic tendinosis, damaged or aged skin, and pattern baldness. The proposed research is anticipated to result in significant economic gains for BC and Canada since the targeted technology applies to an emerging and strategic market. Innovations in this area can help reducing the costs associated with current cell-based treatment and transform the health and life sciences sectors.******