Exosome injection to help damaged tendons
Official title: Exosome drug for tendinopathy
Funded at New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther · NIH-11122314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new injection made from stem-cell exosomes (called Altenex) aims to help people with tendinopathy — painful, worn-down tendons — heal better and reduce pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Rochelle, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $719,580 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AG084503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic tendinopathy (for example painful Achilles or rotator cuff tendons) who have ongoing pain and functional limitations despite standard care would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with acute full-thickness tendon ruptures requiring surgical repair, unrelated causes of limb pain, or known sensitivity to biologic products may not benefit from this treatment.
What this research studies
The team is developing Altenex, an exosome-based biologic made from human bone marrow stem cells grown on a special 3D scaffold to produce tendon-healing signals. The product is manufactured from allogeneic (donor) MSCs using scalable NanoPrime scaffolds that guide the cells to secrete tendon-focused exosomes. In animal tests, direct injection into injured Achilles tendons showed reduced signs of tendinopathy. The current work moves that preclinical approach toward a therapy that could be tested in people and commercialized.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could promote tendon repair, reduce pain, and lower the risk of tendon rupture for people with chronic tendinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches using MSC-derived exosomes have shown promising results in animal models of tendon injury, but human clinical evidence for exosome therapies in tendinopathy is still very limited.
Where this research is happening
-
New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther
New Rochelle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fung, David T — New York/r&d/ctr/translational Med/ther
- Study coordinator: Fung, David T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized Achilles tendon rehab: how loading in daily life affects healing
A person with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy could benefit from a personalized rehab plan based on how their daily activities load the tendon.
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Achilles Tendinopathy Center of Translation
A center-led program aims to uncover basic science and translational tools to improve care for people with Achilles tendinopathy.
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Understanding the muscle-subtendon units in Achilles tendinopathy
This project explores why Achilles tendinopathy affects people differently by looking closely at the ankle’s tendon structure and how it responds to treatments.
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Exosome-based biologic treatment for tendinopathy
A new exosome-based therapy called Altenex aims to treat tendinopathy safely and effectively in adults.
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Quantifying Achilles Tendon Stress in Dancers to Prevent Tendinopathy
Aimed at female ballet dancers, this project will measure Achilles tendon stress during dance and develop better tools to monitor pain and guide injury prevention and recovery.
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Role of CaV1.2 calcium channels in Achilles tendinopathy
This grant explores how a calcium channel called CaV1.2 may drive tendinopathy in the Achilles tendon and what this could mean for new treatments.
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.