Creating a new tool to deliver cell therapies directly into tissues.
Official title: Development of a novel tool for cell therapies that automates the formation and injection of cell-laden hydrogels directly into tissue
Funded at Cellular Vehicles INC. · NIH-10919361 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to safely deliver cell therapies by using special gels that protect the cells and help them get to the right place in the body, making treatments more effective for people who need them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cellular Vehicles INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Mateo, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $294,541 |
| NIH project number | 1R43TR005112-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919361 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tissue diseases who may benefit from enhanced cell therapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with blood-based diseases may not benefit from this research as the focus is on solid tissue applications.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an automated system that can encapsulate cells in hydrogels and inject them directly into target tissues. Current methods of delivering cell therapies often fail because cells do not reach their intended destination or die during the process. By using hydrogels, which protect the cells and help them integrate into the tissue, this project aims to improve the effectiveness of cell-based treatments. The automation of this process is expected to enhance consistency and reliability, making it more suitable for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the delivery and effectiveness of cell therapies for patients with solid tissue diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of using hydrogels for cell delivery is promising, this specific automated approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
Cellular Vehicles INC.
San Mateo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joshi, Nikhil — Cellular Vehicles INC.
- Study coordinator: Joshi, Nikhil
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Automated, standardized hydrogel cell encapsulation to support safe cell therapies
A new automated system helps securely wrap therapeutic cells in injectable hydrogels to improve delivery and survival in diseases like brittle diabetes and heart/brain conditions.
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.