Decellularised Extracellular Carpets for the Innovative Production of Human Engineered Replicates

Project Information

DECIPHER

Grant agreement ID: 101138593

DOI

10.3030/101138593

Project closed

EC signature date 28 August 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DECIPHER (Decellularised Extracellular Carpets for the Innovative Production of Human Engineered Replicates)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Cell-derived matrices are multi-functional biomaterials with very high therapeutic capacity. Despite the very promising data that have been obtained to-date in both preclinical and clinical settings, there is very slow commercial and clinical uptake. It has been argued that the very high cell numbers and the prolonged ex vivo culture periods required to develop them limit their applicability, as the manufacturing costs become too high for the healthcare providers to be able to afford them. As a result, functional therapies do not become available to patients. Prof Zevgolis has pioneered the macromolecular crowding technology in eukaryotic cell culture. Macromolecular crowding, through volume exclusion, enhances and accelerates extracellular matrix deposition. DECIPHER aimed to assess the potential of macromolecular crowding in the development of cell-derived matrices. As part of the technology development work-packages, we developed using macromolecular crowding cell-derived matrices using only a fraction of cells and time that traditional approaches require. Further, the enhanced deposited extracellular matrix acts as a depo of trophic and therapeutic factors that promote physiological healing. The commercial development work-packages confirmed the transformative potential of macromolecular crowding in the development of cell-derived matrices for a diverse range of sectors and markets. DECIPHER will contribute to the commercialisation of cell-derived matrices, increasing the international competitiveness of European-based biotech industries and creating new employment, markets and revenue.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Work-package 1 and work-package 2 (technology development work-packages): Cell-derived matrices with enhanced deposited extracellular matrix were developed using only a fraction of cells and time that traditional approaches require. The enhanced deposited matrix is associated with enhanced functionality. Further, the materials had within the acceptable limits remaining DNA content, making them safe for use in regenerative medicine sector, as well as the cell culture technologies sector, cellular agriculture sector and drug discovery sector.

Work-package 3, work package 4 and work-package 5 (commercial development work-packages): These commercial work-packages were conducted by an independent entity, experienced in market analysis; customer discovery and validation analysis; and exploitation opportunity and route to market analysis. Their comprehensive report clearly recognises the transformative potential of the DECIPHER project in a range of sectors and markets.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Data obtained from the technological work-packages and information obtained from the commercial work-packages very clear identify the commercial opportunity of the DECIPHER project. The team will now work for the development of a competitive European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition proposal. it is anticipated that a company will be formed in the coming months. Scientific, clinical and commercial leads are already in place.