LyGenesis
Organization Description
LyGenesis, Inc. is developing organ regeneration technology that focuses on using the patient’s own lymph nodes to grow functioning ectopic organs. Over a decade ago, Dr. Eric Lagasse launched a series of experiments that would lead to the idea that lymph nodes might be used to grow additional organs [1-2]. This became the core idea behind LyGenesis, the ability to grow replacement organs using a patients lymph nodes. LyGenesis has also conducted proof-of-concept experiments for thymic, kidney, and pancreatic tissue.
The company is currently undergoing large animal studies for liver regeneration and intends to begin Phase 2 human trials in the near future.
References
[1] Komori, J., Boone, L., DeWard, A., Hoppo, T., & Lagasse, E. (2012). The mouse lymph node as an ectopic transplantation site for multiple tissues. Nature biotechnology, 30(10), 976.
[2] Francipane, M. G., & Lagasse, E. (2014). Maturation of embryonic tissues in a lymph node: a new approach for bioengineering complex organs. Organogenesis, 10(3), 323-331.