SpinalCyte Receives Key Patent

SpinalCyte LLC, a Houston, Texas-based spinal technology company focused on autologous regrowth of the spinal disc nucleus using human dermal fibroblasts, received U.S. Patent No. 8,728,495—“Methods and Compositions For Repair Of Cartilage Using An In Vivo Bioreactor”—from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The technology described in the patent involves seeding autologous dermal fibroblasts into the nucleus of the spinal disc. The cells, when exposed to in-vivo mechanical stress in a low-oxygen environment, will then differentiate into chondrocytes to regrow the nucleus of the spinal disc. The claims also cover an absorbable scaffolding to direct the mechanical stress into the seeded cells.

“This allows us to regrow the disc in a natural environment, which we feel is critical for mechanical restoration of the intervertebral disc,” said Pete O’Heeron, CEO of SpinalCyte. “We are pleased the United States Patent Office continues to validate the uniqueness of our technology. SpinalCyte’s patent portfolio includes eight U.S. and foreign patents issued and directly owned by the company, along with 22 patents pending. We feel the future for cartilage regeneration will be centered around a biologic, cell therapy or gene therapy solution.”

The nucleus pulposus is a gelatinous material that acts as a cushion or shock absorber to the spinal column. It functions to distribute hydraulic pressure in all directions within each disc under compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus consists of chondrocytes and matrices such as proteoglycans and collagens.

SpinalCyte was founded in 2007 to develop an innovative and autologous solution for nucleus replacement using human dermal fibroblasts. The goal of SpinalCyte is to develop a cartilage regeneration technology using autologous dermal cells harvested from the patient. To date, SpinalCyte has been funded entirely by angel investors.