A safer way to freeze and store cell-based therapies

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

NIH-funded research Cryocrate, LLC · NIH-11190815

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 typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCryocrate, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11190815 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients whose care does not involve cell- or tissue-based therapies are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this project.

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 performed: 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

Columbia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.