THEA Teaming Profiles
Thank you for your interest in ARPA-H’s Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program. This page is designed to help facilitate connections between prospective performer teams. If either you or your organization are interested in teaming, please submit your information via the form below. Your details will then be added to the list below, which is publicly available.
THEA anticipates that teaming will be necessary to achieve the goals of the program. Prospective performers are encouraged (but not required) to form teams with varied technical expertise to submit a proposal to the THEA. For questions, please contact us at THEA@arpa-h.gov.
Please note that by publishing the teaming profiles list, ARPA-H is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals or organizations included here. Submissions to the teaming profiles list are reviewed and updated periodically.
Interested in learning more about the THEA program?
Teaming Profiles List
To narrow the results in the Teaming Profiles List, please use the input below to filter results based on your search term. The list will filter as you type.
| Organization | Contact Information | Location | In 200 words or less, describe your organization's current research focus areas | In 200 words or less, tell us what your organization is looking for in potential teaming partners | Which technical areas within THEA does your organization have the capacity to address? |
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| Neural engineering lab in the department of Neurosciences, UCSD | Kobi Koffler (ykoffler@ucsd.edu) | La Jolla California | Soft tissue 3D printing expertise. We currently print human size spinal cord implants that we load with neural stem cells and test in invivo model of regeneration (spinal cord injury). We have expertise in small and large animal in vivo studies. We also have capabilities to print bioelectronics as well as drug delivery implants. | Generating stem cells that are specific for this application, animal models of optic nerve regeneration or whole eye in vivo studies as well as expertise in tissue processing and histology of these tissues. |
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| University of Southern California | Kimberly Gokoffski (kimberly.gokoffski@med.usc.edu) Additional: lazzi@usc.edu |
Los Angeles, CA | Our multidisciplinary consortium comprised of neuro-ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, electrical engineers, neurobiologists, and developmental biologists aims to develop exogenous electric field application into a technology to drive target-specific regeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. We have recently successfully demonstrated the ability of electric fields to drive full-length optic nerve regeneration and partially restore electrophysiologic function after optic nerve crush injury in adult rats. We believe we can develop this technology into tool that will drive functional integration of whole eye transplants and thereby restore vision to patients blinded by neuro-degenerative diseases. | While our multidisciplinary consortium offers expertise in electrical stimulation of the retina and optic nerve, the pathophysiology underlying different degenerative diseases of the optic nerve, clinical application of treatments for blindness, retinal electrophysiology, and micro-imaging modalities, we seek collaborators with expertise in surgical techniques underlying successful whole eye transplantation. |
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| Auxilium Biotechnologies | Isac Lazarovits (Isac@auxiliumbio.com) Additional: J.koffler@auxiliumbio.com |
San Diego, California | 3D printing of nervous system tissue, in-vivo model of peripheral nerve regeneration. 3D bioprinting in micro gravity in space. | In-vivo optic nerve regeneration, ophthalmology relevant stem cell production, clinical experience in ophthalmology. |
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| University of Udine | Paolo Lanzetta (paolo.lanzetta@uniud.it) | Udine, Italy | I'm leading a university service specialized in medical and surgical retina with microsugery skills | Sharing skils to form a team focused in transplantation of human eye |
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| Pacific Neuroscience Institute | Howard R Krauss MD (hkrauss@pacificneuro.org) Additional: ana.rodriguez@stjohns.org |
Santa Monica, Ca | Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, Orbital Surgery, Neurodegenerative Disease, Neuro-Oncology | Tissue preservation |
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| Verizon | Karen Kimbro, Sr. Client Partner Health and Human Services (karen.kimbro@verizon.com) Additional: joel.daniels@verizon.com |
Ashburn, VA | Verizon has past performance at the VA in providing the secure, low latency 5G connectivity for image enhanced medical procedures. We have announcement about our partnership with Medivis for digitally assisted surgery. We are familar with the setup, challenges and requirements to have XR enabled medical technology become a reality. Partnering with Verizon will not only ensure the enablment of XR medical technology, but also shave discovery cycle times off of setting up the supporting infrastructure for the innovations needed to realize the THEA mission. | We are looking for partners who require the supporting, enabling technology to ensure secure, reliable (interuption free) medically assisted XR technology integration into the THEA treatment and surgerical workflows. |
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| Stanford University | Jeffrey L Goldberg (Jlgoldbe@stanford.edu) Additional: Lnarasky@stanford.edu |
Palo Alto, CA | Working closely with Jose Sahel and the Pittsburgh faculty, we are assembling a team that includes leading investigators from multiple institutions working on retinal cell survival and optic nerve regeneration, including therapeutics and diagnostics relevant to those goals. This integrated, collaborative program includes faculty experts addressing multiple key areas, in relevant small and large animal models. | We welcome discussion with experts willing to work on a collaborative and well-integrated team. Although this teams submission is focused on technical area 2 (optics nerve repair and integration), we intend to integrate with our colleagues focused on technical areas 1 and 3 throughout the program. |
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| University of Pittsburgh | José-Alain Sahel/Larry Benowitz (sahelja@upmc.edu) Additional: okeefesa@upmc.edu |
Pittsburgh, PA | Working closely with Jeffrey Goldberg and the Stanford faculty, we wish to assemble a global team formed of leading investigators from multiple institutions across the country and beyond, forming an integrated program bringing together experts working on tissue preservation, surgical methods, optic nerve preservation and regeneration, immune reactivity and modulation, structural and functional assessment relevant to the goal of achieving successful whole eye transplantation. | We welcome discussions with experts willing to work on a collaborative and well-integrated team. Although this team submission is focused on Technical Area 1 : retrieval of donor eyes and tissue preservation, we intend to integrate experts on Technical Areas 2 and 3 |
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| University of Thessaly | NIKOLAOS DERVENIS (Nikosdervenis@gmail.com) | Larissa, Greece | Retinal diseases, vitreoretinal surgery | Development of methods to repair or replace damaged optic nerve connection |
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| Medical College of Wisconsin | Matthew Veldman (mveldman@mcw.edu) | Milwaukee, WI | Whole eye transplant with recovery of visual function has already been achieved in fish and frog model organisms. My lab is focused on identifying the genetic and molecular mechanisms of successful optic nerve regeneration in the zebrafish model. We are looking to translate our findings to enhance mammalian optic nerve regeneration and make successful eye transplant a reality in humans. | Our current data suggests successful optic nerve regeneration is mediated by both increased responsiveness of retinal ganglion cells to extracellular factors and induction of these factors in the optic nerve and brain. Additionally, several of these factors are regeneration specific and not developmentally relevant. We are looking for partners to enable testing these factors in mammalian models where genetic manipulation of retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve, and retinorecipient regions of the brain is possible. |
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| University of Notre Dame | Yiyu Shi (yshi4@nd.edu) | Notre Dame, Indiana | AI/machine learning for healthcare; Medical image analysis; Software/hardware co-design of deep learning systems; Ultra-low-power machine learning systems for real-time control; Intelligence on the edge; | healthcare professionals and/or surgeons who have expertise in retrieval of donor eyes and tissue preservation, or post-operative care/functional assessment, and need to use efficient and real-time AI/machine learning algorithms and systems |
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| Georgia Tech | yue.chen@bme.gatech.edu (yue.chen@bme.gatech.edu) | Atlanta, GA | medical robotics | image guided therapy, microsurgery, medical device, medical robotics |
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| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | David J. Calkins (david.j.calkins@vumc.org) Additional: tonia.rex@vumc.org |
Nashville, TN | Our collaborative team involves faculty and their laboratories representing ophthalmology, neurosciences, biomedical engineering, and development biology. The group focuses on leveraging mechanistic studies of retinal and optic nerve degeneration in both chronic and acute conditions to develop and test protective and regenerative therapies in models using large mammals that have a well-developed lamina cribrosa in the optic nerve head, including non-human primates. To this end, we have developed tools to enable and enhance (1) retinal ganglion cell and axonal survival in vitro and in vivo, (2) functional and behavioral assessments in vivo of the optic projection in disease and injury models, including regeneration, (3) biomaterials to promote axon survival and growth, and (4) viral constructs and drug delivery modalities based on polymer chemistry. Recent advances from our group include (1) whole-nerve physiological recordings to assess axon integrity in animal models, (2) therapeutics based on modulating metabolic stress and reducing inflammation/immune responses, (3) extracellular conditioning to promote axon integrity and growth, and (4) cell-specific viral targeting of gene constructs for neuroprotection and regeneration. We practice a full gamut of quantitative histopathological preparations and outcomes to maximize rigor. | While we have expertise highly relevant to Technical Area 2 (optic nerve repair and integration), we require collaborators with expertise in Technical Area 1 (donor tissue) and Technical Area 3 (surgical procedures) for preclinical application to our large mammal experimental models and eventual clinical translation. Similarly, our expertise in viral vectors and stem cell programming includes creating drivers of neuronal vs. glial (astrocyte) cell specificity, but we need greater sophistication in these approaches to optimize long-term retinal/axon survival following tissue integration during transplantation. |
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| Eversight | Onkar Sawant, PhD (osawant@eversightvision.org) Additional: research@eversightvision.org |
Ann Arbor, MI; Cleveland, OH; Clark, NJ; Chicago, IL; Seoul, South Korea | Eversight is a US-based global nonprofit eye bank with offices and clinical operations in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona and Seoul, South Korea. Eversight provides more than 8,000 corneal transplantation grafts and more than 3,000 tissues for research every year. Our current research studies are focused on prolonging the vitality of ocular tissues using tissue oxygenation status and the use of Rho Kinase inhibitors. Eversight’s Research & Development (R&D) department is a full-service partner for academia, biotech and pharma alike. Housed at the Eversight Center for Vision and Eye Banking Research in Cleveland, our expert team facilitates meaningful scientific inquiry by providing human eye tissue for research, consulting with partners to design and conduct impactful studies, and advancing the fields of eye banking, ophthalmology and beyond through in-house R&D. Since 2019, Eversight R&D has published more than 10 manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as PNAS, Cornea, etc. We also prioritize providing cadaveric non-corneal tissues to aid in translational discoveries for various ocular conditions such as inherited retinal degeneration, age-related macular degeneration, and more. | We welcome discussions with partners who specialize in technical areas 2 and 3 (optics nerve repair and integration and surgical procedures, post-operative care, and functional assessment respectively). We are interested in finding partners who have expertise evaluating the effect of improving tissue vitality on optic nerve integration and success on whole eye transplantation. We are a mission-driven eye bank with a focus on building authentic relationships and we are looking for partners to build on our current tissue provision capabilities to bring groundbreaking innovations from the bench to bedside. |
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| Foundation Fighting Blindness | Chad R. Jackson (cjackson@fightingblindness.org) Additional: pginsberg@fightingblindness.org |
Columbia, Maryland | The Foundation Fighting Blindness’ mission is to drive the research that leads to treatments and cures for blinding disorders. Our diverse research funding portfolio includes genetic therapies, small and large molecule development, and regenerative cellular therapy. The Foundation Fighting Blindness is looking to team with research, development, and engineering partners to address the technical areas highlighted in the THEA BAA. We are looking to form an R&D syndicate that addresses all three technical areas with excellent scientific and financial management that meets all demands of this ARPA-H effort. The Foundation has decades of relevant experience and would bring the following to a team: 1. Proposal Development: Lead the process of designing, writing, and submitting a research proposal that addresses THEA’s health challenges and aligns with the ARPA-H’s vision and mission. 2. Scientific project management: Coordinate the planning, development, delivery, and tracking of the materials related to the funded ARPA-H effort for reporting and evaluation. Transform disparate research efforts into measurable outcomes to advance the THEA program. 3. Financial management: Oversee project financial planning, monitoring, and reporting, in alignment with the THEA’s goals, milestones, and deliverables, and compliant with the terms and conditions of the ARPA-H award. |
The Foundation Fighting Blindness has more than 50 years’ experience driving and catalyzing research against blinding diseases, and we have deep experience across the technical areas in the THEA program. We are seeking to partner with individuals, institutions, and companies that bring the following: 1. Expertise in any of the three technical areas of the THEA program: (1) retrieval of donor eyes and tissue preservation, (2) optic nerve repair and regeneration, and (3) surgical procedures, post-operative care, and functional assessment. 2. Experience in conducting high-risk, high-reward research projects that address vision-related health challenges. 3. Access to relevant resources, facilities, and networks that can support the execution and translation of the proposed project. 4. A shared vision and mission with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the ARPA-H to cure blindness and improve the quality of life of affected individuals globally. |
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| University of Miami – Bascom Palmer Eye Institute | David T. Tse (dtse@med.miami.edu) Additional: dpelaez@med.miami.edu |
Miami, Florida | At Bascom Palmer, our multidisciplinary team has advanced a surgical approach for whole-eye transplantation that maintains constant perfusion to the donor eye during retrieval and transplantation and preserves cranial nerves III, IV, V, VI, and extraocular muscles in the recipient orbit to retain functional motility and eyelid function. This approach calls for the minimal possible number of connections to be made for the transplantation – a single arterial and venous anastomosis, optic nerve coaptation, and extraocular muscle reattachment microsurgery. To validate its technical feasibility, we have practiced and refined the surgical workflow of donor eye retrieval, ex-situ bench surgery, and recipient orbit preparation in human cadaveric surgeries. In collaboration with the Biomedical Engineering team, we have also advanced the development of an extracorporeal membrane perfusion system specific for donor eye procurement and preservation. The Bascom Palmer team includes expertise and support from the Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, Advanced Ophthalmic Imaging laboratory, Ocular Immunology and Transplantation laboratory, and Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Ophthalmology Laboratory in providing ex-situ physiological testing and retinal functional imaging of the donor eye, and to help integrate and adapt novel approaches that address the other technical areas to our surgical procedures. | We welcome discussions with other teams focusing on technical area 2: Optic nerve repair and regeneration that can synergize with our ongoing efforts in this aspect as well as with our expertise in surgical procedures, retrieval of donor eye, and tissue preservation. We would welcome the participation of the national Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) to develop universal guidelines for whole eye procurement. |
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| Johns Hopkins Regenerative Research in Ophthalmology Workgroup (REGROW) | Thomas V Johnson (johnson@jhmi.edu) Additional: jmumm3@jhmi.edu |
Baltimore, Maryland | We intend to address technical area (TA) 2 of the ARPA-H THEA Program by developing molecular, biomaterial and surgical tools to facilitate coaptation of the donor and host optic nerve, and to ensure that donor RGCs survive transplantation within an eye allograft and regenerate axons to central subcortical visual centers. Our final deliverable goals include 1) a translatable molecular targeting strategy that modulates gene regulatory networks in donor RGCs to promote resilience (survival following axotomy) and regenerative capacity (axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis within central targets) and 2) a suite of biomaterial/nanomedicine and surgical tools that not only help reconnect optic nerve segments but which also modulate the local inhibitory and neuroinflammatory microenvironment to achieve donor RGC axonal growth through the host visual pathway. Our team includes neuroscientists, developmental and stem cell biologists, biomedical engineers, optics experts, and clinicians. Animal models spanning fish, amphibians, rodents, and non-human primates will be leveraged to identify evolutionarily divergent gene regulatory networks that explain the loss of spontaneous RGC resilience and regeneration following injury in mammals, but which is present in some cold-blooded vertebrates. Non-human primates will be used to benchmark and deliver translationally relevant tools to enable transplantation of human eye allografts. | Our highly collaborative team welcomes discussion with experts who may be interested in contributing to a comprehensive approach to reconnecting the eye to the brain, especially those interested in molecular regulation of retinal ganglion cell responses to injury, neuroinflammatory and gliotic responses to visual pathway disease and optic nerve transection, and biomedical engineering / nanomedicine-based approaches to nerve coaptation and white matter tract reconstitution. |
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| EYEBRIDGE (UW-Madison, U. Indiana, National Eye Institute, Opsis/FCDI) | David Gamm (dgamm@wisc.edu) Additional: kapil.bharti@nih.gov |
Madison, Wisconsin | The EYEBRIDGE team has expertise in all three focus areas, but particularly areas 2 and 3. Area 2: We are leaders in human iPSCs and differentiation of retinal (RGC) and key nonretinal (oligodendrocyte, astrocyte, microglia, sensory/motor neuron, and vascular endothelial) cell types. Our capabilities include scaled production, purification, cryopreservation, and commercialization of all conceivably necessary optic nerve and orbital cell products. We have a microfluidics-based optic nerve model for use as a cell, gene-editing, and small molecule screening platform. We have adapted synaptic tracing methods for assessment of RGC axon repair and synaptogenesis, and our engineers have developed cell-seeded micro-scaffold designs for ocular transplantation. AREA 3: We have 1) IND and clinical trial experience in ocular cell replacement, 2) partnerships with industry leaders in human iPSC-derived tissue reconstruction, and 3) ideal large animal programs (pig, NHP) for developing ocular transplant procedures and testing anatomic and functional outcomes. To address possible evolutionary incompatibilities between species, we have generated pig iPSCs and RGCs to test in parallel with human cell products. Lastly, our team includes experts in cell/organ transplant immunology, biomaterials, microsurgical instrumentation, endoscopic imaging, orbital surgery, and (relevant to area 1) donor organ survival and transport (including eye). | We actively seek partnerships for all focus areas to bolster and expand existing expertise and capabilities, identify underappreciated problems, and optimize strategies to rigorously and efficiently achieve the program’s goals to help future patients. Specific expertise in small-scale membrane oxygenation is sought, as well as direct experience in deep orbital surgery and periorbital transplantation/reconstruction in large animal models. |
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| EYEBRIDGE (UW-Madison, U. Indiana, National Eye Institute, Opsis Therapeutics/FCDI) | David Gamm (dgamm@wisc.edu) Additional: kapil.bharti@nih.gov |
Madison, WI | The EYEBRIDGE team has expertise in all three focus areas, but particularly areas 2 and 3. Area 2: We are leaders in human iPSCs and differentiation of retinal (RGC) and key nonretinal (oligodendrocyte, astrocyte, microglia, sensory/motor neuron, and vascular endothelial) cell types. Our capabilities include scaled production, purification, cryopreservation, and commercialization of all conceivably necessary optic nerve and orbital cell products. We have a microfluidics-based optic nerve model for use as a cell, gene-editing, and small molecule screening platform. We have adapted synaptic tracing methods for assessment of RGC axon repair and synaptogenesis, and our engineers have developed cell-seeded micro-scaffold designs for ocular transplantation. AREA 3: We have 1) IND and clinical trial experience in ocular cell replacement, 2) partnerships with industry leaders in human iPSC-derived tissue reconstruction, and 3) ideal large animal programs (pig, NHP) for developing ocular transplant procedures and testing anatomic and functional outcomes. To address possible evolutionary incompatibilities between species, we have generated pig iPSCs and RGCs to test in parallel with human cell products. Lastly, our team includes experts in cell/organ transplant immunology, biomaterials, microsurgical instrumentation, endoscopic imaging, orbital surgery, and (relevant to area 1) donor organ survival and transport (including eye). | We actively seek partnerships for all focus areas to bolster and expand existing expertise and capabilities, identify underappreciated problems, and optimize strategies to rigorously and efficiently achieve the program’s goals to help future patients. Specific expertise in small-scale membrane oxygenation is sought, as well as direct experience in deep orbital surgery and periorbital transplantation/reconstruction in large animal models. |
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| Noveome Biotherapeutics, Inc | Larry Brown (lbrown@noveome.com) Additional: gkraemer@noveome.com |
Pittsburgh, PA | Noveome is focused on researching, advancing and developing the clinical applications of an amnion epithelial cell (AEC)-derived secretome biologic for regenerative medicine called ST266. Stem cell-like multipotent AEC’s secrete cytokines and growth factors into the amniotic fluid crucial to fetal development. We have demonstrated that the secreted products of these cultured cells are strongly anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, and exhibit regenerative properties. Intranasal, non-invasive ST266 targeted delivery to the cribriform plate in rats and cynomolgus monkeys deposited throughout the brain with the highest concentration found in the optic nerve and optic nerve head. In experimental optic neuritis, intranasally administered ST266 attenuated visual dysfunction, prevented retinal ganglion cell loss, and significantly reduced optic nerve inflammation and demyelination. Neuroprotective effects involved oxidative stress reduction, SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial function promotion, and pAKT signaling. The unique combination of multiple biologic molecules in ST266 provides an innovative approach to prevent or reverse neuronal damage in optic nerve disease. The safety of non-invasive cribriform plate targeted ST266 delivery to glaucoma suspects has been established in a Phase 1 clinical trial. ST266 has been safely administered to 276 human subjects and we are currently initiating a treatment trial of premature infants diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. | Noveome is looking to team with clinical and research focused neuro-ophthalmologists with experience in treating retinal ganglion cell optic nerve diseases. We believe that preliminary clinical efficacy in patients with optic neuritis shown by optical coherence tomography and reduced loss of contrast vision would be an important efficacy signal for intranasal ST266. Efficacy in preserving retinal nerve fiber thickness would be a pathway toward addressing the loss of vision due to due glaucoma. |
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| Luna Labs USA, LLC | Lauren Costella (lauren.costella@lunalabs.us) Additional: biotech@lunalabs.us |
Charlottesville, VA | Luna Labs is an established contract development organization with experience working in ocular tissue preservation and treatment. Recent efforts have focused on stabilizing synthetic oxygen carriers in blood substitute materials to increase the efficiency of gas exchange in cases of acute hemorrhagic injury or respiratory distress. These oxygen-carrying compounds could improve transplant tissue health by expanding oxygen dissolution in the storage media conditions. On a separate NIH-funded contract, our team also developed a method of stabilizing antifungal compounds with demonstrated efficacy extending past 18 weeks. These additives were validated as safe for inclusion in corneal storage media and exposure to corneal transplant specimens by partners at Eversight, Inc and could facilitate improved specimen preservation processes. | We would like to build upon the relationship established with Eversight to target Technical Area 1, joining forces with other groups focused on optic nerve repair/regeneration (TA2), and/or general implementation of the improved tissue in the surgical process under TA3 to address all capability gaps. |
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| CryoCrate LLC | Xu Han (xu.han@cryocrate.com) | Winston Salem, NC | CryoCrate LLC specializes in cell and tissue cryopreservation without deep freezing. Our innovative, biocompatible cryopreservation medium technology platform enables efficient cryopreservation of various cell and tissue types in standard -80°C freezers, without the need for permeating cryoprotectants and liquid nitrogen facility. A an NIH Innovation Showcase Company, CryoCrate with its patented technologies has won eight NIH SBIR grants, one DoD Therapeutic Development grant, one DoD Burn Program Idea Development grant, one NIFA grant, and three foundation awards. In collaboration with Washington University and Mid America Transplant in St. Louis, CryoCrate is working towards establishing the world's first corneal limbal tissue bank. Supported by an ongoing NIH Phase II SBIR project, CryoCrate is in the process of securing FDA clearance for the cryopreservation of full corneas. Additionally, we have an incoming NIH Phase II SBIR project focused on cryopreserving iPSC-derived RPE tissues and bioprinted 3D neural tissues. CryoCrate has also developed a research grade cryopreservation medium product that is proved to be efficient in preserving cortical neurons, neuroendocrine cells, and other isolated primary cell types that are typically challenging for conventional cryopreservation methods (e.g., primary chromaffin cells, corneal endothelial cells, hepatocytes, and neutrophils). |
We are actively seeking collaborations in the cryopreservation of donor or bioartificial ocular neuronal tissues for transplantation purposes. Our existing expertise and accomplishments make CryoCrate an ideal industrial partner for exploring the feasibility of allogenic optic nerve and whole eye transplantation via cryopreservation. |
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| LighTopTech Corp. | Cristina Canavesi (cristina@lightoptech.com) | West Henrietta, NY | LighTopTech builds innovative optical instruments for noninvasive imaging and guided surgery in the medical field. Combining three-dimensional sub-cellular imaging with machine learning methods, we achieve unbiased, automated tissue characterization. Our core expertise includes optical system design, algorithm development, image analysis and machine learning. | We seek to apply our imaging capability to address all technical areas by collaborating with surgeons and preservation experts. If you are interested in noninvasive, cellular-level, volumetric structural and functional imaging of eye tissue, reach out to us. |
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| University of Virginia | Paul Yates (pyates@virginia.edu) Additional: pay2x@uvahealth.org |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Our research has more recently been focused on preservation and regrowth of micro-capillaries in the small animal models of retinal vascular disease. In particular, we have examined stem cell based approaches for replacing and preventing loss of perivascular cells in these disease conditions. I have had prior experience studying retinal ganglion cell axon pathfinding, growth, and regeneration also in multiple small animal models. My prior graduate work provided the seminal molecules and mechanisms by which Ephrin gradients establish the topographic map with RGCs connecting from eye to the midbrain. In particular we defined the role of Ephrin gradient inhibition on RGC axons and axonal arbors in reducing the initial diffuse non-topographic connectivity of RGCs to midbrain into a tight topographically specific 1:1 2D map from eye to brain. In that regard, my group has longstanding techniques in genetic models, RGC axon tracing, single cell RGC culture, and computer based simulation of axonal arbor development and refinement. In collaboration with Dr. Tom Mendel at The Ohio State University we would have the ability to perform porcine vitreoretinal and transplantation procedures for assessment of techniques developed on smaller animal models. The larger neuroscience group at UVA also has specific expertise studying axon - glia/microglia interactions both in developmental and injury contexts. Finally, both Dr. Mendel and I perform vitreoretinal surgery at our respective institutions. | Would particularly like to team up with researchers potentially interested in polyethylene glycol approaches to donor eye harvest and axon preservation with re-fusion to the recipient optic nerve. Would be interested in studying this in both small and large animal models to assess efficacy and opportunities/approaches for improved efficiency. We are also interested in advising/providing quantitative evaluation of transplantation techniques in both small and large animals, examining the success of axon regeneration and correct retinotectal targeting for teams pursuing various re-growth approaches. Our team can perform or provide widefield retinal imaging and perfusion analysis of transplanted tissue in small and large animal models given my company's (RetiVue) handheld widefield imaging technologies. |
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| Triple Ring Technologies | H. Roger Tang, PhD (rtang@tripleringtech.com) Additional: shemami@tripleringtech.com |
Newark, California and Boston, Massachusetts | We strive to be the most trusted partner for developing science-driven products in medtech, life sciences, and sustainability. In this role, we choose fulfilling problems, take on significant challenges, pull together diverse teams, collaborate fearlessly, and have a positive impact on people and the planet. To accomplish this vision, Triple Ring Technologies has assembled an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, developers, and designers (25% with PhDs) that specializes in accelerating technologies up the TRL scale. Triple Ring Technologies specializes in taking technology ideas and benchtop demonstrations from concept to prototype (including for clinical use), and we have extensive experience with designing and commercializing complex medical devices and life sciences tools, including medical imaging and radiation therapy systems. Examples that highlight our relevant experience include: Imaging systems (multiple platforms and clients) -CT scanners for medical, animal health, research, and industrial applications -Novel imaging modalities using electromagnetic interactions -Gantry and imaging platform design Biomedical and optical systems (multiple projects) -Various tissue oximetry systems -High speed fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime scanning systems -Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems -Stereotactic visualization system Medical robotic systems -MRI compatible robot for advanced brain biopsy -Various robotic platforms for imaging and surgery |
We stand side-by-side with innovators and entrepreneurs to solve hard problems, launch breakthrough products, and create new businesses. We can provide the concept realization and technology development for FDA submission, clinical testing, and/or commercialization. We can start with just a concept (e.g., background intellectual property, or even just an idea); at the other end of the TRL scale, we can design or redesign for manufacturing or for FDA submission. Teaming partners would bring medical expertise, clinical experience, other technologies required, and big ideas that are not constrained by what they think is limiting in today’s technology. Prior experience in creating novel technology is not required. |
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| Erie Retina Research | David RP Almeida (drpa@pm.me) Additional: mkadmiel@erieretinaresearch.com |
Erie, PA | Areas of expertise within our current team include advanced ophthalmic surgical techniques and post-operative care, craniofacial and microvascular surgeries, cadaveric preservation and fresh-frozen tissue utilization, regulatory management, and biostatistics. We offer extensive clinical experience in relevant surgical procedures and diagnosis and treatment of all medical and surgical conditions of the vitreous, retina, and macula. Our team uses a unique, near-real, fresh-frozen cadaveric head preservation process with which we can execute human optic nerve reattachment and whole eye transplant protocols in a human specimen to test anatomic outcomes. We have immense clinical trial experience in ophthalmology, with over 50 completed or ongoing trials. We also have an internal team to develop a research proposal that aligns with THEA objectives. | We are looking for collaborators with expertise in (1) Technical Area 1 (retrieval of donor eyes and tissue preservation), (2) optic nerve reattachment in animal models, and (3) surgery and post-operative care in small and large animal models. |
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| Oregon State University College of Pharmacy – Casey Eye Institute | Gaurav Sahay (sahay@ohsu.edu) Additional: Renee Ryals (ryals@ohsu.edu) |
Portland, OR | mRNA-based therapies offer unique capabilities for cellular reprogramming, cell therapies, and regenerative medicine. Our research group works on implementation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in various aspects of ophthalmology, predominantly focusing on genetic eye diseases. We have established a number of safe and efficacious LNPs platforms for mRNA and gene editors delivery in mouse, rats, human retinal organoids, and NHPs with the help of our collaborators in Casey Eye Institute network and Oregon National Primate Research Center. Another capability in our research consortium is AI-assisted mRNA engineering - extending mRNA lifetime, increasing protein expression, and reducing immunogenicity. Additionally, we have a library of polymeric materials for gene delivery and a capability to 3D print hydrogel scaffolds for LNP-hydrogel implantation in various organs or advanced cell culture models. | We are seeking a collaborator with deep expertise in the biology of optic nerve, ocular cell replacement and ocular transplant procedures. We especially welcome conversations with collaborators with a capability for rapid screening of nanomedicines either in cell culture or directly in vivo, since we can offer a high-throughput screening platform for identification of lead nanoparticle candidates. |
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| Applied Research Associates, Inc. | Dr. Louis William Rogowski (lrogowski@ara.com) | Randolph, VT | ARA is developing microrobotics technology for targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive surgery. Microbots currently being investigated include magnetic microparticles that can be functionalized with drug compounds and ‘artificial cells’ composed of magnetic nanoparticle embedded in drug releasing hydrogels. We’ve introduced these microrobots into gastrointestinal mucus and studied the effects different surface chemical functionalizations, geometry, and magnetic field properties have on their propulsion characteristics. In support of these efforts, ARA has internally developed a portable microbot control system (MCS) to magnetically navigate microbots to target locations within 3D biofluids. The MCS can be provided to collaborators wishing to help mature microrobotics technology. ARA continues to internally invest in microrobotics by exploring drug delivery mechanisms, enhanced actuation in in vivo environments, and continuing to streamline our MCS technology. | ARA and its collaborators are seeking a medical research partner to help mature microrobotics technology and develop novel targeted drug delivery mechanisms. The research partner should be willing to get their hands dirty by helping to incorporate novel drug payloads, study the effects on tissue cells after drug delivery by microrobots, and help transition the technology to clinical settings. Other ideas are welcome for potential co-development. ARA can fully support from the microrobotics perspective, enhancing the control system, developing algorithms, non-line-of-sight tracking, microrobot design, or other technologies to facilitate the collaboration. ARA can also potentially build up a microrobot control system for the collaborator for dual research on the same set-up. We are hoping to develop a delivery and treatment mechanism to support optic nerve repair and regeneration. |
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| Beauty of Sight | Elizabeth Fout (efcaraza@med.miami.edu) Additional: sdubovy@med.miami.edu |
Miami, FL | Beauty of Sight is a non-profit eye bank dedicated to supporting research aimed at enhancing the understanding of and treatments for ocular diseases. Our efforts span various fronts, from supporting research aimed at improving therapies for degenerative eye conditions to investigating innovative approaches to eye banking. Our recent research endeavors include focus on improving the preservation of cadaveric ocular tissue, thereby facilitating better outcomes for corneal transplantation procedures, addressing the global demand for donor corneas, and improving scientific investigations. | Beauty of Sight is hoping to collaborate on research aimed at finding novel ways to retrieve and preserve cadaveric donor eyes to advance research aimed at curing ocular diseases and blindness. |
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| Jules Stein Eye Institute UCLA | Aya Barzelay MD PhD (ayaba@g.ucla.edu) | Los Angeles California | Our team at UCLA, led by the Jules Stein Eye Institute, brings together experts in ophthalmology, microsurgery, engineering, and bioengineering. Our focus areas encompass cutting-edge developments in robotics microsurgery, teleoperation, and automated robotic systems. We integrate multi-modal sensing and employ AI-driven detection for enhanced precision. Our focus areas also extends to micron-level precision in drug delivery, specifically in optic nerve repair through stem cell delivery. We explore nerve engraftment and stimulation using biopolymers, along with micromolecule delivery for graft support and immunomodulation. Our comprehensive approach enables us to effectively address TA2 and TA3. |
imaging modalities |
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| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Surgery and Regenerative Medicine Institute | Curtis L. Cetrulo, Jr., M.D., FACS, FAAP (Curtis.Cetrulo@cshs.org) Additional: Emery.Ham@cshs.org |
Los Angeles, California | Cedars-Sinai Eye Transplantation Program Technical Area 1: Cedars-Sinai VCA Program has extensive experience in ex vivo preservation of Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCAs) in animal models (mouse, rat, swine and non-human primate) as well as human perfusions (eye, face, and digits). Technical Area 2: We offer 4 therapies to optimize survival and function of the components of our transplanted eyes: 1) Optic Nerve Fusion 2) Optic Nerve Preservation with Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Secreting iPS cells 3) Prevention of Ischemic Damage to the Retina With Engineered Endothelial Progenitor Cells 4) Reconstitution of Damaged Retina With Retinal iPS Cells Technical Area 3: Cedars-Sinai VCA Program is UNOS-approved for clinical human eye transplantation, one of two active approved U.S. programs and the sole program in the West. We have a history of successful VCA innovation (our lead surgeon performed the first successful U.S. penile transplantation). We are already screening patients for eye transplantation. Our microsurgical protocol is state-of-the-art and utilizes local and systemic FK506 for immunosuppression/nerve regeneration and CAR T cell therapies directed at mitigating the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system to prevent rejection of our eye allografts. Outcomes analyses utilize AI for assessment of optic nerve and retinal recovery. |
Our center would like to team with groups whose technologies will be ready for clinical application to augment the outcomes of our pending human eye transplantation trial. Best practice surgical techniques aimed at reducing or eliminating donor eye ischemia, state-of-the-art functional assessment and optic nerve regenerations technologies that will optimize our outcomes are of interest to our group. In addition, groups with immunologic expertise to support our tolerance induction protocols and CAR T therapies would be of interest. |
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| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Department of Surgery's Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Program and Regenerative Medicine Institute | Curtis L. Cetrulo, Jr., M.D., FACS, FAAP (curtis.cetrulo@cshs.org) Additional: emery.ham@cshs.org |
Los Angeles, CA | Cedars-Sinai Eye Transplantation Program Technical Area 1: Cedars-Sinai VCA Program has extensive experience in ex vivo preservation of Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCAs) in animal models (mouse, rat, swine and non-human primate) as well as human perfusions (eye, face, and digits). Technical Area 2: We offer 4 therapies to optimize survival and function of the components of our transplanted eyes: 1) Optic Nerve Fusion 2) Optic Nerve Preservation with Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Secreting iPS cells 3) Prevention of Ischemic Damage to the Retina With Engineered Endothelial Progenitor Cells 4) Reconstitution of Damaged Retina With Retinal iPS Cells Technical Area 3: Cedars-Sinai VCA Program is UNOS-approved for clinical human eye transplantation, one of two active approved U.S. programs and the sole program in the West. We have a history of successful VCA innovation (our lead surgeon performed the first successful U.S. penile transplantation). We are already screening patients for eye transplantation. Our microsurgical protocol is state-of-the-art and utilizes local and systemic FK506 for immunosuppression/nerve regeneration and CAR T cell therapies directed at mitigating the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system to prevent rejection of our eye allografts. Outcomes analyses utilize AI for assessment of optic nerve and retinal recovery. |
TA1: We are prepared with clinically-ready perfusion protocols, but open to collaboration with other groups to optimize for the eye. In addition, we hope to collaborate with other groups with promising gene and cellular ex vivo additions to the eye allograft. TA2: We hope to collaborate with groups that have optic nerve and retinal protection/preservation and reconstruction that are ready for clinical implementation. We offer extensive experience in clinical cell therapy trials for retinal repair, from bench to GMP manufacturing at Cedars-Sinai's new cell therapy manufacturing center. TA3: We have extensive experience in clinical VCA and hope to collaborate with groups on state-of-the-art microsurgical techniques which we can immediately execute in patients. We also have extensive experience with tolerance induction protocols and CAR T therapies ito abrogate rejection and will be implementing a novel non-MHC matching protocol to greatly reduce rejection rates. We have access to many patients in need of transplantation through our clinical cell therapy trials and are actively screening candidates as we are already UNOS-approved for eye allotransplantation. |
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| Albert Einstein College of Medicine | Wei Liu (wei.liu@einsteinmed.edu) | Bronx, NY | Axon growth and pathfinding of retinal ganglion cells, retinal differentiation, retinal organoids | Complementary expertise |
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| Hope Biosciences | Donna Chang (donna@hope.bio) Additional: julie@hope.bio |
Houston, Texas | Hope Biosciences is the nation's leader in the development of autologous and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapeutics. In a nutshell we can produce practically unlimited, highest quality (unaltered, undifferentiated), MSCs than anyone on the planet. We are also the only clinical grade stem cell bank for adults and newborns in the U.S. The cells we have manufactured have been used in over 35 FDA authorized clinical protocols primarily in neurological conditions. Notably, a DoD CDMRP study for a Phase II trial in traumatic brain injury. For eye applications, our product, HB-adMSCs, are being used in the development of a subcutaneous stem cell sheet for patients with myopic chorioretinal atrophy. MSCs are primed to be an ideal tool for optic nerve regeneration. The compounds they secrete within the conditioned media is also being studied and we are developing drops for the treatment of chronic dry eye. HB-adMSCs in their pure form have a drug master file with FDA and are ready to by deployed quickly in any clinical setting (ex. improve outcomes post surgery). We look forward to developing new combination treatment/procedures with other stakeholders. |
Those looking for tools for cellular/tissue regeneration. If anyone is working on decellularization of an eye to create a scaffold for whole eye transplantation, we can help with recellularization! |
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| Sapphiros AiBio | Robin Y Smith (rsmith@sapphiros.ai) Additional: fpinto@sapphiros.ai |
Boston, MA | Sapphiros AiBio maintains a bank of >85,000 fully consented human cell lines. We have been working in regenerative medicine for over a decade on programs as diverse as cartilage repair, cardiac restorative therapy as well as neurological degeneration. We are dedicated to building the foundations of regenerative medicine using a diverse snapshot of the US population. | We are looking to team with organizations that may need stem cell derived neurological cell types specifically targeting TA2. We have teamed successfully on other programs previously from public and private agencies. |
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| MPR Associates, Inc. | Ryan Downs, Vice President, Health & Life Science (rdowns@mpr.com) Additional: cloper@mpr.com |
Alexandria, Virginia | MPR is an engineering consulting firm that focuses on developing technology and planning large scale programs that solve healthcare challenges. MPR works best when partnered with a team that understands the core challenge or has proven basic research but lacks the capabilities or bandwidth to design, develop, implement, test and deliver the proposed solution to that challenge. MPR designs: • Medical devices, • Pharmaceutical processes, • Hardware solutions, • software platforms, • Machine learning systems, • User studies, and • Manages large scale government programs. MPR has designed and developed ophthalmic, surgical and diagnostic medical devices in use in clinical practice, as well as autologous cell separation and expansion solutions for bedside and laboratory use. MPR actively supports innovative hospital networks, large medical device and pharmaceutical developers, startups, researchers, as well as the DOD, DOE, and DHS in designing and implementing impactful solutions. MPR understands how to design and develop solutions that deliver results and align with government funding expectations. MPR seeks to partner with those that know what they need to accomplish, and may not have the capabilities or clarity of the process to implement and achieve those lofty goals. |
MPR works best when partnered with a team that understands the core challenge or has proven basic research but lacks the capabilities or bandwidth to design, develop, implement, test and deliver the proposed solution to that challenge. MPR actively supports: • Innovative hospital networks, • Large medical device developers • Pharmaceutical developers, • Startups, as well as • DOD, DOE, and DHS in designing and implementing impactful solutions. MPR understands how to design and develop solutions that deliver results and align with government funding expectations. MPR seeks to partner with those that know what they need to accomplish, and may not have the capabilities, bandwidth, or clarity of the process to implement and achieve those lofty goals. |
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| Medinect Ophtho | James Bojdo (james@medinect.co.uk) Additional: hanagh@medinect.co.uk |
Belfast, United Kingdom | Our expertise is deeply rooted in in vivo research, encompassing a wide range of ophthalmology techniques. We are proficient in electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, along with advanced capabilities in retinal histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Beyond these techniques, our team specializes in tissue engineering, and we are actively engaged in research using pig eyes to enhance the survival of porcine eye cells. This work is particularly exciting as we have developed a novel anti-inflammatory treatment that has shown promising results in vitro on human retinal cells following oxidative stress insult. To further our research objectives, we are collaborating with partners to integrate a human-derived, GMP quality vascular network into our models, aiming to significantly enhance cell survival rates. This multidisciplinary approach, combining cutting-edge ophthalmology research with innovative tissue engineering and anti-inflammatory therapies, positions us to make a substantial contribution to Technical Area 1 (TA1). | In our pursuit of advancing Technical Area 1 (TA1) objectives within the THEA program, we recognize certain areas where external expertise could significantly enhance our efforts. While our specialization in tissue preservation via vascular perfusion and the development of novel anti-inflammatory approaches positions us strongly in the field, we are seeking teaming partners to complement our capabilities in areas that are currently beyond our core expertise. Specifically, we are looking for partners with advanced proficiency in surgical protocols for the harvest and preservation of human eyes, which is a critical component we aim to incorporate more deeply into our research. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the THEA program, we are particularly interested in collaborators who bring innovative approaches to addressing potential obstacles and who are comfortable working within a larger consortium of groups. Such collaborations will not only broaden the scope of our research but also ensure a more integrative approach to achieving the program's ambitious goals. Our ideal partners are those who share our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in eye transplantation and who possess complementary skills in areas we seek to further develop. By joining forces, we believe we can create a synergistic team that will make significant strides toward the successful realization of whole eye transplantation, ultimately leading to the restoration of vision for many. |
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