A spin-out company from the University of York, called Mesenbio, is developing a novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis using engineered human stem cells. This treatment aims to address both inflammation and tissue damage caused by the autoimmune disease, which affects nearly half a million adults and children in the UK and millions more wordwide. Unlike current therapies, which primarily focus on easing pain and inflammation, Mesenbio’s treatment has the potential to regenerate damaged tissue.
The technology involves using extracellular vesicles (EVs), nano-sized structures released from cells with therapeutic properties. Mesenbio has engineered these EVs from human stem cells to enhance their anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerating abilities, specifically targeting the needs of arthritis patients.
Dr. David Kuntin, CEO of Mesenbio, emphasized the scalability of the method, making it possible to create a drug that could be administered via injection to halt tissue damage and reduce immune system overreaction. The company has already achieved success in laboratory tests and is now preparing for human clinical trials.
