SpinalCyte Receives U.S. Patent for Spinal Disc Tissue Engineering

Houston, Texas-based SpinalCyte LLC, a spinal technology company focused on autologous regrowth of the spinal disc nucleus using human dermal fibroblasts, received patent #7,850,983 from the U.S. Patent Office—“Methods and Compositions For Repair Of Cartilage Using An In Vivo Bioreactor” to regrow the spinal disc, using human dermal fibroblasts.

The allowed claims include the use of human dermal fibroblasts from the patient’s own body, to regrow the nucleus of the spinal disc in vivo. SpinalCyte has simulated the environment of the spinal disc. Using intermittent hydrostatic pressure, the dermal cells have successfully differentiated into cartilage type cells necessary to regrow the nucleus pulposus.

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 eachdiscunder compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus consists ofchondrocytes,collagenfibrils, andproteoglycanaggrecans.

“This milestone is a major achievement and strengthens our position in this emerging technology,” said Pete O’Heeron, CEO. “We are excited about the future for this type of technology and the benefit it will ultimately bring the patient by regrowing their disc, using their own cells.”

Nucleus replacement is a growing field in the spinal surgery arena.

SpinalCyte was founded in 2007. The firm’s goal, according to its leadership, is to develop a nucleus regrowth technology using autologous dermal cells harvested from the patient. To date, SpinalCyte has been funded entirely by angel investors.