RegeNer8 - N8 Centre for Translational Regenerative Medicine

For example Reinnervate, which was set up by scientists at Durham University. Reinnervate have developed novel artificial skin constructs for routine use in research, screening and compound testing programmes.  Funding and support from the N8 Research Partnership (a collaboration of the North’s 8 research-intensive universities) helped Reinnervate to develop their products, which are being sold worldwide, supporting the growth of skin cells derived from human stem cells and so allowing a consistent supply of material for investigative research in this important therapeutic area.

Another example is Tissue Regenix, formed by scientists at the University of Leeds who developed regenerative biological scaffolds for repair of cardiovascular tissue such as heart valves. In the UK alone, 5,000 patients per year receive cardiac valve replacements (225,000 worldwide); however these currently last only 15 years and are subject to immunological reaction resulting in the need for re-operation.  The Tissue Regenix Group was listed on AIM in 2010.  Funding from Regener8 (N8’s centre for translational regenerative medicine) has strengthened research leading to the further development of scaffolds for heart valve replacement.

Neotherix is a spin-out of the global medical device company Smith & Nephew, specialising in tissue scaffolds for repairing wounds including skin cancer excisions and other soft tissue injuries. Technology validation funding from Regener8 has allowed innovation and new advances to be made. Regener8 has also provided Neotherix with access to experts within the University of Bradford and the Leeds Dental Institute, leading to them developing tissue scaffolds for oral surgery in dentistry, which is currently a poorly met clinical need. Neotherix are currently dealing with a great deal of international interest in their products, particularly in China.

The N8 Research Partnership is focused on providing access to world-leading expertise within the ‘N8’ – the North of England’s 8 most research-intensive universities. By setting up virtual ‘centres’ based on the expertise in the North, such as regenerative medicine and molecular engineering, industry, academics and clinicians are working together with a common goal – to commercialise the world-leading  research in the North.