Grant Award Details

An optimized human neural stem cell line (hNSC) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Grant Type: 
Grant Number: 
TRAN1-11548
Project Objective: 

  • Pre-IND meeting for allogeneic, hESC-derived CD133+CD24- neural stem cells to treat traumatic brain injury; includes process development and pilot safety studies

Investigator: 
Name: 
Institution: 
Type: 
PI
Disease Focus: 
Neurological Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injury
Human Stem Cell Use: 
Embryonic Stem Cell
Award Value: 
$4,804,737
Status: 
Active

Grant Application Details

Application Title: 
  • An optimized human neural stem cell line (hNSC) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Public Abstract: 

Translational Candidate

Shef6.1 embryonic cells will be enriched for a neural stem cell marker, CD133. These human neural stem cells (hNSCs) are designated as S6.133.hNSCs.

Area of Impact

Shef6.1 human neural stem cells will be tested as a treatment for memory & behavioral deficits resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Mechanism of Action

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in loss of neural tissue and chronic inflammation. Additionally, patients may have chronic cognitive and emotional deficits. S6.133.hNSCs have been shown to improve learning and memory, and reduce anxiety in rodent, via replacing lost neurons and glial cells (via cell replacement or neurogenesis), protecting the injured brain from secondary cell loss (trophic effect), and reducing neuroinflammation (via cytokines), possibly by synergic mechanisms of action.

Unmet Medical Need

TBI is a silent epidemic, affecting 230,000 Californians yearly (comparable to Alzheimer’s), and projected to cost CA $9.6 billion per year. TBI can lead to significant chronic deficits, yet there are no approved therapies, whether pharmacological or cell based, and few products in the pipeline.

Project Objective

We are targeting a Pre-IND meeting by month 30.

Major Proposed Activities

  • Generate cGMP compatible human neural stem cells (hNSCs) from Shef6.1 embryonic stem cells. Finalize CMC methods and test sterility and stability.
  • Test efficacy, safety, dose & immunosuppression in male & female Athymic nude rats, and a non-human primate model (marmoset) of traumatic brain injury
  • Finalize target product profile (TPP) and Pre-IND documents with clinical team and consultants at iQVIA; schedule Pre-IND meeting with the FDA.
Statement of Benefit to California: 

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are the leading cause of disability. Yearly, 1.7 million American’s experience a TBI (~230,000 Californians), costing California ~$9.6 billion YEARLY. A cell therapy that could reduce inflammation, replace injured brain tissue, or protect host neurons to improve learning and memory could have significant implications for a patient’s quality of life and could significantly reduce the economic impact of TBI on the patient, their family, and the state of California.

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