Hemera develops a cell therapy utilizing autologous immune cells that are engineered in vitro to enhance their reparative capabilities for spinal cord lesions. This approach aims to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from acute spinal cord injuries, addressing a significant gap in effective treatments for neurological diseases.
Funding
$2.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Acute spinal cord injuries often result in a severely unfavorable local environment that inhibits the regeneration of damaged nerve fibers. Current treatments provide limited efficacy in promoting significant functional recovery and improving the quality of life for patients with these injuries.
Solution
Hemera is developing REMaST® (Regenerative Educated Macrophages Self Transplantation), a cell therapy designed to address acute spinal cord lesions by enhancing the body's natural repair mechanisms. This therapy utilizes autologous macrophages, a type of immune cell, which are extracted from the patient's blood and then "educated" in vitro to optimize their reparative capabilities within the hostile environment of the injured spinal cord. The educated macrophages are reintroduced near the lesion site to modulate the microenvironment and promote nerve tissue regeneration. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that REMaST® can promote the repair of damaged nerve tissue, reduce the negative effects induced by spinal cord injury, and enable lasting functional improvement. Hemera's approach aims to provide an early intervention, administered between 2 to 8 weeks post-injury, to maximize the potential for tissue repair before the chronic phase sets in.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with severe, acute spinal cord injuries who have not yet entered the chronic phase, as well as clinicians and hospitals specializing in neurology, regenerative medicine, and spinal cord injury treatment.
Features
- Autologous cell therapy utilizing patient-derived macrophages to minimize the risk of rejection.
- In vitro "education" of macrophages to enhance their regenerative properties in the spinal cord microenvironment.
- Designed for early intervention (2-8 weeks post-injury) to maximize tissue repair potential.
- Aims to improve motor function by promoting nerve tissue regeneration and reducing lesion-induced damage.
- Preclinical data demonstrates neuro-regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic effects.
- Preclinical studies indicate a high safety profile with no genetic manipulation or long-term side effects observed.
- Proprietary 7-day in vitro protocol for macrophage education, creating a "cellular bioreactor."