Exosome injection to help damaged tendons
Exosome drug for tendinopathy
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 ID | NIH-11122314 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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 Rochelle, UNITED STATES
- 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
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 below.