The potential of spine-targeted biologics is immense and quickly developing. Here are four recent stories on notable developments or recognitions:
Developmental biologist Olivier Pourquié, PhD, identified a clock-like cellular segmentation mechanism in humans that controls spine development. The mechanism controls human spine growth and provides researchers with an in vitro system to study early spine development in humans. Dr. Pourquié and his team will now begin studying what controls the clock's variable speed and what controls embryonic development in different species.
Stem Cells Translational Medicine recently awarded Mohammad Khazaei, PhD, its Young Investigator Award for his research on cell-based treatments for spinal cord injuries. Dr. Khazaei authored a paper where he and other researchers explored how neurons and oligodendrocytes could achieve better functional recovery for spinal cord injuries.
Orthobiologic developer Bone Biologics said its rhNELL-1 product promoted bone formation in advanced spine models. The company concluded a preclinical study of rhNELL-1. Researchers found the product was well tolerated with no inflammation. The company plans to build on the results and launch a preclinical trial at a later date.
Ortho-biologics company Royal Biologics launched Magnus, a DMSO-free viable cellular bone allograft, the first of its kind to be DMSO-free. Magnus uses viable spine-derived cells from the vertebral region and preserves them with a DMSO-free cryoprotectant, which can be used in bone graft procedures.
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