Clarion Cells
Clarion Cells is developing CC-101, an investigational off-the-shelf neural stem cell therapy for chronic ischemic stroke. Delivered as a single, same-day intracerebral dose, CC-101 acts as a catalyst to awaken the brain's dormant repair mechanisms. In a completed Phase 1/2a trial, the vast majority of subjects showed improved motor function at twelve months with no serious adverse events reported.
- Drug Discovery & Therapeutics
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare Technology
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Chronic ischemic stroke leaves more than 6 million US adults with lasting motor dysfunction, with 70–85 percent of first strokes resulting in permanent deficits. By six months, spontaneous recovery has plateaued, roughly half of patients lack functional independence, and annual support costs can exceed $100,000 per patient—yet no FDA-approved drugs exist to treat chronic stroke.
Solution
Clarion Cells is developing CC-101, a patented, off-the-shelf allogeneic neural stem cell therapy delivered as a single, same-day intracerebral dose adjacent to the stroke-damaged area. Rather than directly replacing damaged neurons, CC-101 acts as a catalyst, secreting trophic factors that awaken the brain's dormant endogenous neural stem cells and drive neurogenesis, plasticity, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. The pre-manufactured, cryopreserved product requires no patient-specific processing or match waiting, enabling scalable delivery. In a completed Phase 1/2a trial conducted at Stanford, the vast majority of subjects demonstrated improved motor function at twelve months with no reported serious adverse events, and Phase 2b is scheduled to begin this year.
Target Audience
Primary customers are healthcare providers and health systems treating the estimated 500,000 new ischemic stroke patients in the US each year, as well as the more than 6 million Americans living with chronic stroke disability who currently lack treatment options.
Features
- Off-the-shelf allogeneic neural stem cell product candidate, pre-manufactured and cryopreserved for immediate availability without autologous cell processing
- Single-day stereotactic intracerebral administration through a dime-sized skull access point, designed for patient discharge within 6–8 hours
- Paracrine mechanism of action that triggers immune modulation, neurogenesis, rewiring (plasticity), extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis
- Treatment window spanning six months to seven years post-stroke, with the Phase 2b trial extending eligibility to seven years
- Manufacturing process designed for commercial-scale production and consistent quality across all doses
- Supported by peer-reviewed publications in journals including Experimental Neurology and Cell Reports