A safer way to freeze and store cell-based therapies
Official title: Establishment of a First-in-Class Biocompatible and Efficient Cryopreservation Technology Platform for the Next Generation of Cell-Based Therapeutics in Regenerative Medicine and Drug Discovery
Funded at Cryocrate, LLC · NIH-11190815 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops a non-toxic freezing solution to help preserve cell and tissue therapies so patients needing regenerative treatments can get higher-quality materials.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cryocrate, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $922,420 |
| NIH project number | 5R44OD035392-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190815 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who are candidates for cell- or tissue-based regenerative treatments (for example patients considered for iPSC-derived cell transplants) would be the primary group to benefit from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose care does not involve cell- or tissue-based therapies are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this project.
What this research studies
If you might receive a cell or tissue therapy in the future, this project aims to make those materials safer and more reliable to store. The team has created OdinSol®, a biocompatible cryopreservation medium that removes toxic penetrating chemicals and can keep cells stable in standard -80°C freezers. The work includes GMP-scale production, laboratory (in vitro) tests and animal (in vivo) tests of safety and function, and partnerships with manufacturing and regulatory experts to prepare for FDA clearance as a storage device for transplantable tissues. Success would make it easier for clinics and banks to store and ship cell therapies for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could improve the survival and function of stored cell therapies, making regenerative treatments safer and more available.
How similar studies have gone: This is a novel, first-in-class approach: prior standard methods use toxic penetrating cryoprotectants, while early preclinical work on OdinSol® suggests improved cell survival but clinical benefit is not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
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Cryocrate, LLC
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Xu — Cryocrate, LLC
- Study coordinator: Han, Xu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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New cryopreservation method to boost NK cell therapies
A new, safer freezing method aims to keep natural killer (NK) cells alive and effective after thawing to improve cancer-fighting therapies.
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Development of a new safe method for preserving cells for medical treatments
This study is testing a new safe solution called OdinSol® that helps store cells and tissues for treatments like regenerative medicine, making sure they stay healthy and work better without harmful chemicals.
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Improving the storage of immune cells for cancer treatment
This study is testing a new way to safely freeze immune cells used in cancer treatments, which could make it easier for patients to get effective therapies without harmful substances.
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Development of a new kit for preserving corneas for transplantation
This study is testing a new kit called IcyEye® that helps keep donated corneas safe and healthy while they are frozen, so they can be stored for a long time and used effectively, especially during emergencies like pandemics.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.