Olfactory Cell Transplantation to
repair the injured Spinal Cord
A glial bridge made of olfactory cells will be transplanted into patients with
contusion spinal cord injury followed by intensive physiotherapy for 12 months.
The world’s first Phase I clinical trial using olfactory ensheathing cells to repair the spinal cord
was conducted in Brisbane in 2002. The trial was led by scientists from the Eskitis Institute at
Griffith University (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) and proved that the therapy was safe for
use in humans. In 2014, a British/Polish study showed that this therapy can result in a
dramatic recovery from spinal cord injury. A patient with chronic spinal cord injury regained
sensory and motor function of his legs after receiving a transplant of olfactory ensheathing
cells.
There is now the opportunity to make the therapy more effective and generate higher
consistency in results. Over the next three years, a team at Griffith University will further refine
the therapy using animal models in preparation for the commencement of a clinical trial.
The Technology
Biology-chemistry-engineering - we combine improved cell purification and culturing
techniques with natural product discovery to identify and develop compounds that stimulate
the cells. New engineering approaches enable vastly improved three-dimensional (3D) growth
of cells to generate cell bridges for transplantation.
Physiotherapy - central to the success of the therapy is the on-going intensive post-surgery
rehabilitation physiotherapy, which needs to be delivered to the patients. Methods for costeffective delivery are being considered.
Team Leader
Dr James St John is the Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell
Research at Griffith University. He is a leading expert in the use of olfactory ensheathing cells
for nerve repair and has 20 years’ research experience and over 50 publications in this field.
The research team currently consists of 20 scientists and is supported by the Perry Cross
Spinal Research Foundation.
Partners sought
We aim to conduct a Phase I/IIa clinical trial of patients with chronic spinal cord injury
commencing in late 2018. For this we are seeking partners with expertise and capabilities in
cell therapy and biodegradable scaffold.
Point of Contact
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Dr Jodi Richards, Business and Engagement
Manager (Eskitis Institute), Griffith Enterprise:
Griffith Enterprise
Tel: +61 7 2725 56061
Griffith University, Nathan campus
Mobile: +61 466 535 800
Brisbane Qld 4111
Email: [email protected]
Australia
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