Derived from healthy living donors, NuCel is a unique in-vivo liquid wound covering, providing a defensive barrier at the surgical site in situations where a patch covering is either inadequate or inconvenient.
Natural function
Transplants the functionality of the Amniotic membrane to operative sites for a wide variety of surgical settings.
Easy to use
Mixed with a patient's own blood, NuCel is applied directly to the surgical site, offering surgeons the unique ability to spread the Amniotic membrane over an irregular or larger area, including over large bone void fill constructs for spine fusion or large trauma repair.
Immune Privileged
Scientists have established through numerous studies that the placental membranes have evolved a molecular mechanism that renders it immune privileged.
Advantages of Amnion as a Source
- The ease of isolation of these cells and the availability of amnion and amniotic fluid as a discard tissue make it a highly attractive source of cells.
- It is also attractive for other reasons. It’s immune privileged, its anti-fibrotic and can help prevent adhesions.
- Yields: 4 million viable cells per 100 cm2 of starting material
Immunology of the Placenta
- The paradox of maternal tolerance was first raised 50 years ago by Peter Medawar
- The mother possesses an immunological inertness
- Several studies have measured the ability of the amnion to inhibit T cell proliferation, CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cell proliferation. Mechanisms not definitive – but results are obvious
- Amniotic material has immunoregulatory properties
Product Pipeline
- Very simple, basic product
- Attractively priced
- Designed to bring the functionality (cells, immuno-privilege) of Amnion to bone void fill and healing
- Six small clinical studies through 2009 to characterize its functionality as a bone void fill material and to lay the basis for more complex claims and indications
Final Product
- The processed placental organ is placed in a solution (DMSO, sugars) to preserve it during freezing
- The material is assayed to list all components (# of viable cells, amount of amnion, etc.)
- Stored at minus 80 Celsius.