News story

Battlefield cell-based therapy

Case study from the Newcastle University who will pitch their ideas to industry and investors at the CDE Marketplace on 6 September 2016.

Newcastle University

Newcastle University has been funded by the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) to develop an effective way to store and transport stem cells.

It has developed alginate hydrogel cell encapsulation technology which allows for the short-term storage and transport at hypothermic temperatures (4-21°C) of wound healing stem cells.

The ‘StemGel’ product offers a viable solution for market demand for therapeutic stem cell transport at cool and ambient temperatures.

The University has also developed a prototype of a stem cell bandage which could be used for advanced wound care therapy for both military and civil benefit.

It’s now seeking funding for commercial development of StemGel and the bandage product.

Dr Che Connon, Professor of Tissue Engineering, Newcastle University says:

CDE funding has meant that we’ve been able to turn an ambitious idea into a physical prototype that’s potentially a massive step forward in realising the commercial potential of cell-based therapies.

About CDE

CDE funds novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research. We work with the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to develop cost-effective capabilities for UK armed forces and national security.

CDE is part of Dstl.

Centre for Defence Enterprise

Building R103
Fermi Avenue
Harwell Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX

Email cde@dstl.gov.uk

Telephone +44 (0)30 67704236

Alternative number +44 (0)30 67704237

Please email for the quickest response.

Updates to this page

Published 15 August 2016