Silk fibroin tissue grafting for peripheral nerve repair

Project Information

KLISBio

Grant agreement ID: 101161926

DOI

10.3030/101161926

EC signature date 7 June 2024

Start date 1 July 2024

End date 30 June 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 565 000,00

EU contribution

€ 2 495 500,00

Coordinated by

KLISBIO SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KLISBio (Silk fibroin tissue grafting for peripheral nerve repair)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Peripheral nerve injury is a major source of disability, impairing muscle movement or normal sensations: 4Mn people annually experience traumatic nerve damage. Current solutions do not always achieve full motor and sensory recovery, leading to loss of sensation/function and pain, with a significant impact to patients’ lives. With 50% unsuccessful nerve repair procedures, patients require prolonged rehabilitation, and 30% of them experience permanent disability, producing a high socio-economic burden. KLISBio has developed SILKBridge, a novel cost-effective nerve guide made of silk fibroin for safe and efficient peripheral nerve repair. KLISBio’s solution, clinically tested with a first in human (FIH) study, supports and protects the regenerating nerve from compressive forces, restoring its function, and reducing pain without patient discomfort. SILKBridge enhances nerve healing without immune rejection nor fibrosis, reducing the costs of rehabilitation and prolonged surgeries.

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

During the first reporting period, the KLISBIO project achieved significant technical and scientific progress across several key areas. Robust project management enabled effective coordination, risk mitigation, and alignment with timelines and budgetary targets as close as possible. A comprehensive quality management system was developed in line with ISO 13485, laying the foundation for future additional certification and market readiness. Technical advancements included scaling up manufacturing processes, initiating automation strategies, and refining product design. Efforts to expand the product range led to new developments and testing of alternative device sizes, with a strong focus on meeting clinical needs. Preparations for clinical trials advanced steadily, with key stakeholders engaged and protocol development underway. Ethical oversight mechanisms were also established to guide the responsible conduct of the project. Collectively, these actions have positioned KLISBIO for successful continuation and future clinical and regulatory milestones.

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)

The KLISBIO project has delivered promising early results in the development and scale-up of a next-generation silk fibroin-based medical device for peripheral nerve repair. Key outcomes include the establishment of a compliant quality management system, progress toward ISO 13485 certification, automation of several manufacturing steps, and the refinement of the product design to align more closely with clinical needs. Clinical trial preparation is also underway, supported by partnerships with key opinion leaders and expert CRO.
The potential impact of these innovations is substantial: KLISBIO aims to provide a biocompatible, resorbable alternative to current nerve grafting techniques, which could significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the need for autografts. The technology holds particular promise in addressing small-diameter nerve injuries, which represent the majority of clinical cases.
To ensure successful uptake and long-term impact, several needs must be addressed. These include continued technical development and validation, completion of clinical trial, and successful navigation of regulatory pathways in both the EU and US. Access to further financing will support industrial scale-up and market entry, while strategic support in areas such as IPR management, internationalisation, and health technology assessment will be critical to drive commercialisation. Collaboration with regulatory bodies and standardisation initiatives will also help ensure the innovation is effectively integrated into clinical practice.