Cell therapy work recognised in industry deal
A study probing the mechanism behind the immunosuppressive powers of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has attracted a three-year agreement with an innovative regenerative medicine company.
Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute’s (BDI) Dr Tracy Heng’s research will be boosted significantly by the Collaboration Agreement with Sydney-based and ASX-listed cell therapy company Regeneus.
Regeneus is a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing a portfolio of novel cell-based therapies using stem cell and immuno-oncology technology. These therapies target significant unmet medical needs in the human and animal health markets with a focus on osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders, oncology and dermatology.
The industry agreement, signed by the company and Monash University, will fund Dr Heng’s investigations for three years by supporting a PhD student, research assistant and project costs.
Mesenchymal stem cells have for a number of years excited scientists for their ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types, including bone cells, cartilage and fat cells, and for their potential in regenerative medicine for a wide variety of diseases.
More recently they have been used in clinical trials testing their immunosuppressive properties in a wide array of disease conditions. But efforts to locate the cells after injection have been in vain.
“We know that the majority of these cells die shortly after injection; yet studies after studies have shown therapeutic effects with MSC treatment and we want to know why,” Dr Heng said.
“To me the key to their therapeutic value is the host’s immune response to these cells dying. We’re trying to understand how this interaction might explain why we see such a strong anti-inflammatory or immune suppressive effect,” she said.
“We have a good idea of which host immune cell types the dying cells are interacting with.”
Over the last three years there has been rapid expansion of interest in the promise of cell therapies to address the growing number of people suffering from diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, central nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders. There are now more than 30 cell therapy product approvals worldwide, and more than 350 ongoing clinical trials of cell therapy treatments. Cell therapy products now have accelerated approval pathways in Japan, United States and China.
It is expected that over the next five years, there will be a wave of new cell therapies becoming available to address unmet medical needs.
However, a key challenge for all cell therapy products remains the need to have a better understanding of the mechanisms of action. This is key to developing more effective therapeutic products, which would broaden their clinical usage beyond their current indications, she said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Regeneus on this project,” Dr Heng said.
“They recognise the importance of academic research in informing their technology,” she said.
“For me it says a lot about the work we’re doing in the lab – that it’s important to a company whose platforms and technology rely on the knowledge that we’re generating.”
“It’s why I love being a researcher and scientist, to see what we do actually have an impact that is meaningful and tangible.”
Dr Heng, who has worked with industry previously, was approached by the company about the Collaboration Agreement about a year ago.
About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute
Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the newly established Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.