Therapeutic/Technology: Biologic
Evaluation and Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody in Convalescent Volunteer Plasma Donors for Potential Therapeutic Use
Therapeutic Candidate or Device The therapeutic candidate is COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) Indication The target indication is treatment of severe COVID-19 infection Therapeutic Mechanism Neutralizing antibodies are part of the humoral response of the adaptive immune system against viruses, and can be detected in plasma of convalescent individuals. Transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma can provide […]
Pro-healing biomaterial for treating lung inflammation associated with COVID-19
Research Objective Pro-healing biomaterial to treat lung inflammation and promote recovery. Impact COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome Major Proposed Activities Evaluate biomaterial for ability to reduce lung inflammation in rodent model Evaluate biomaterial for ability to recruit stem cells in the lung Evaluate biomaterial for ability to improve lung function in rodent model Evaluate […]
Identifying HLA Class I Restricted Peptides That Induce CD8+ T Cells Against SARS-CoV-2
Research Objective A vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 Impact There is a clear need for a vaccine to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus that is effective, can be rapidly produced and can be scaled for worldwide demand. Major Proposed Activities Identify structural regions of SARS-Cov-2 that can inhibit viral entry Identify potential regions […]
Biomaterial vaccine to enhance the formation of SARS-CoV-2-specific T memory stem cells
Research Objective The objective of this project is to develop an injectable biomaterial platform that can induce TMSCs and boost immunoactivation to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which will help protect elderly people. Impact This approach will boost T memory stem cell production to enhance immunization, and address the low/weak immunoresponses to vaccines, especially in the elderly […]
Human neural stem cell (hNSC) derived exosomes vs CSC14 hNSCs for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Vax-CT to promote formation of cancer-specific T memory stem cell for personalized cancer immunotherapy
Research Objective A vaccine booster to induce antigen-specific T memory stem cells that will help enhance the long-term immunity against cancer recurrence Impact Cancer recurrence presents an unmet medical need. Cancer vaccines are promising, but often lack a long-term protection. We will induce T memory stem cells (TMSCs) to boost the long-term immunity. Major Proposed […]
Targeting pancreatic cancer stem cells with DDR1 antibodies.
Research Objective A therapeutic antibody to DDR1 for targeting pancreatic cancer stem cells to overcome resistance to chemotherapy and potentiate the treatment of advanced cancer. Impact PDAC is lethal cancer that poorly responds chemotherapy to which it becomes resistant. DDR1 antagonistic Abs should improve chemotherapy responsiveness and may cause tumor regression as a monotherapy. Major […]
Targeted Immunotherapy-Based Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
Research Objective An engineered antibody construct that targets and recruits immune cells to kill diseased blood stem cells, including leukemia stem cells, so that healthy stem cells can replace the diseased ones Impact An antibody that can direct immune cells to kill diseased stem cells would make stem cell transplant safer, more accessible and effective […]
Modulation of oral epithelium stem cells by RSpo1 for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis
Research Objective Locally delivered formulation of RSpo1 protein as an activator of Lgr5+ epithelial stem cells in chemotherapy- or radiation therapy-induced oral mucositis Impact Oral mucositis Major Proposed Activities RSpo1 formulation design and selection for optimal oral delivery Activation of Wnt pathway by formulated RSpo1 in-vitro Production of RSpo1 protein Oral stem cell expansion by […]
iPSC-derived smooth muscle cell progenitor conditioned medium for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse
Research Objective Conditioned media from human iPSC-derived smooth muscle cell progenitors. This media exerts paracrine effect to restore damaged vaginal wall in patients with pelvic organ prolapse. Impact Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is characterized by the downward movement of the vagina and/or uterus through the vaginal opening. It is treated with surgery. The candidate is […]