Developing a new biologic graft for repairing ACL injuries
Official title: Planning for clinical trial of fully-biologic, cell generated graft (CGEM) for ACLrepair
Funded at Pro Therapeutics LLC · NIH-10894753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of graft called CGEM that helps your body heal and rebuild its own ACL after an injury, aiming to improve knee stability and function while reducing the risk of arthritis, and it's designed for people recovering from ACL injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pro Therapeutics LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manchester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $117,370 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AR080981-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from ACL injuries who are seeking surgical repair options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic ACL injuries that have already resulted in severe osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a fully biologic graft called CGEM, designed to repair anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries by allowing the body to regenerate its own ACL tissue. The project aims to prepare for a clinical trial that will test the effectiveness of this innovative graft in improving knee stability and function. By utilizing advanced tissue engineering techniques, the goal is to provide a solution that reduces the risk of osteoarthritis and enhances recovery outcomes for patients with ACL injuries. The research is being conducted by a team from Skeletal Tissue Engineering Laboratories, a company affiliated with the University of Michigan.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a groundbreaking treatment that restores normal ACL function and reduces the risk of long-term complications like osteoarthritis.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using biologic grafts is gaining interest, this specific method is novel and has not been extensively tested in human trials yet.
Where this research is happening
-
Pro Therapeutics LLC
Manchester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jakus, Adam Edward — Pro Therapeutics LLC
- Study coordinator: Jakus, Adam Edward
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Creating a new tendon graft to help heal rotator cuff injuries
This study is testing a new type of tendon graft that could help older adults heal better from rotator cuff injuries by improving the way the tendon connects to the bone, making surgeries more successful.
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.