University of Nottingham Spin Out TherageniX Receives £995k Innovate UK Grant for Breakthrough Gene Therapy in Bone Grafting
TherageniX, a spin-out from the University of Nottingham, has been awarded a £995,000 grant from Innovate UK for its innovative gene therapy in bone grafting. The grant will support the development of TherageniX’s non-viral gene delivery system, which aims to improve tissue regeneration following orthopedic surgeries.
The proprietary technology developed by TherageniX allows for the rapid transfection of patients’ cells with specific genes of interest. These transfected cells can then be implanted at the surgical site, enabling the body to produce the necessary proteins or factors for tissue regeneration. By focusing on orthopedic applications, TherageniX aims to enhance the outcomes for patients undergoing bone grafting procedures.
The grant was awarded as part of Innovate UK’s Transforming Medicines Manufacturing program, which seeks innovative technologies for intracellular drug delivery. With this funding, TherageniX plans to transform its liquid formulation into an enhanced dry powder gene therapy, improving upon the current bone grafting procedures.
While the patented technology can target any tissue, TherageniX will initially focus on orthopedic applications. By combining autologous bone marrow cells from the patient with its gene therapy platform, TherageniX aims to enhance the regenerative capacity of skin, bone, muscle, and cartilage following surgery.
Current bone repair strategies often involve the transplantation of autologous bone, but they have limitations. Poor integration or infection at the harvest site can lead to implant failure, delayed recovery, re-operation, and increased costs. TherageniX’s gene therapy technology aims to address these issues by utilizing the body’s cellular machinery to enhance regeneration at the surgical site, leading to better functional outcomes for patients.
Dr. Anandkumar Nandakumar, CEO of TherageniX, expressed gratitude for the support from Innovate UK and highlighted the potential of the company’s novel approach to tissue regeneration. The grant will accelerate TherageniX’s research and development pipeline and help strengthen their team, enabling them to deliver an improved solution for bone grafting.
Dr. James Dixon, Associate Professor of the School of Pharmacy and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Nottingham, emphasized the opportunity to bring regenerative medicine and gene therapy forward through innovative applications. The development of a dry powder delivery system will help overcome bottlenecks and contribute to transformative approaches in modern medicine.
TherageniX, founded in 2022 with the support of Nottingham Technology Ventures Ltd and built by NLC, the European healthtech venture builder, aims to advance treatments for repairing tissue damage. Their focus on bone grafting and the development of a powdered gene therapy demonstrates their commitment to improving patient outcomes, engaging prestigious funding bodies, and attracting investors to support their mission.
In conclusion, TherageniX’s receipt of the £995,000 Innovate UK grant is a significant milestone in the development of their breakthrough gene therapy for bone graft augmentation. The funding will accelerate their research and bring them closer to delivering an improved solution for bone grafting procedures. With their innovative approach and commitment to tissue regeneration, TherageniX is poised to make a significant impact in the field of orthopedic surgery.
