Long-lasting vocal fold replacement to restore voice
Official title: Long-term function of vocal fold replacement in swine
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11200215 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A lab-grown vocal fold replacement made from human fat-derived cells is being tested in pigs to help adults who lost the vocal fold cover from injury or laryngeal cancer regain more natural voice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003649-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11200215 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have lost the vocal fold cover due to trauma or laryngeal cancer and who are medically stable would be the ideal candidates for a future implant trial.
✕Less likely to help
People whose voice problems are primarily from nerve paralysis, central neurologic disease, or who have had a total laryngectomy may not benefit from this specific tissue replacement.
What this research studies
Researchers grow adult human multipotent cells taken from fat inside a 3-D fibrin gel to create a vibrating outer vocal fold replacement called COVR. After promising short-term results in rabbits, the team will implant the COVR into pigs and follow the animals for up to one year to check healing, safety, and long-term vibration. Voice function tests and tissue analyses will look for restored voice quality and any adverse effects. Successful completion will inform an FDA application to move toward human clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a surgical, vibrating tissue implant that restores more natural voice for people who lost the vocal fold cover.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in rabbits showed good healing and short-term restoration of vibration, so this is a logical but still preclinical progression to larger animals.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Long, Jennifer L — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Long, Jennifer L
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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.