SpinalCyte, LLC Receives New Chinese Patent For Spinal Disc Tissue Engineering

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SpinalCyte, LLC, a Texas-based tissue engineering technology company focused on regrowth of the spinal disc nucleus using human dermal fibroblasts, announced today the issuance of Chinese Patent No. ZL 201110261353.3, “Method Of Differentiating Human Dermal Fibroblasts Into Chondrocyte-Like Cells Using Mechanical Strain.” The technology described in the patent involves incoporating a three dimensional matrix to expose the fibroblasts to a mechanical strain using intermittent hydrostatic pressure and/or fluid shear stress. Other claims provide for exposing the cells to hypoxia, growth factors and ascorbic acid.

“Method Of Differentiating Human Dermal Fibroblasts Into Chondrocyte-Like Cells Using Mechanical Strain.”

“The issuance of this patent is a major step forward in our international validation for the SpinalCyte technology. This is a significant milestone for us and we are pleased the Chinese Patent Office has validated the uniqueness of our technology which includes 10 U.S. and foreign patents issued and directly owned by the company, along with 34 patents pending,” said Pete O’Heeron, Chief Executive Officer for SpinalCyte. “We feel the future for spinal disc regeneration will be a cell based therapy solution and we continue to build our intellectual property to protect our leading position in this field.”

About SpinalCyte, LLC

Based in Houston, Texas, SpinalCyte, LLC is a tissue engineering technology company founded for the purpose of developing an innovative and autologous solution for spinal 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.