ReproGo Ltd, a Deep Tech startup originating from Queen's University Belfast, is at the forefront of advanced stem cell-based technology with a mission to drive the adoption of eco-friendly biomanufacturing practices in regenerative medicine.

ReproGo Ltd, a Deep Tech startup originating from Queen's University Belfast, is at the forefront of advanced stem cell-based technology. Founded and led by CEO Dr. Sophia Kelaini and co-founder Prof. Andriana Margariti, ReproGo boasts a rich research history spanning nearly two decades. The company's core focus lies in cell reprogramming and differentiation, with a mission to drive the adoption of eco-friendly biomanufacturing practices in regenerative medicine.

ReproGo has introduced an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) for vascular treatment, currently pending patent filing. This ground breaking product allows to produce high-quality stem cell-derived vascular cells and organoids, tailored to meet the specific needs of customers. What sets ReproGo apart is its unique manufacturing process, characterized by being xeno-free, shorter, and regulatory-friendly. This approach aligns with environmentally conscious practices and reduces resource consumption by requiring a lower cell dose and eliminating purification steps.

One of the key first steps to commercialisation for ReproGo was the team’s acceptance onto the ICURe (Innovation to Commercialization of University Research) Programme in 2021. This programme provided invaluable guidance and resources to transition from academia to the commercial market successfully. Through ICURe, ReproGo refined its business strategy, identified target markets, and honed its value proposition.

In 2022, ReproGo expanded its horizons by participating in the Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) in Canada, focusing on the biomanufacturing of advanced therapies. In the same year, ReproGo reached the regional semi-finals of the SeedCorn Competition in 2022. This recognition validated the company's viability and innovation in the biotechnology industry. In 2023, ReproGo availed of the Kickstart Programme (a follow-on from ICURe) to advance thinking on marketing its pioneering vascular cell therapy. ReproGo was also shortlisted for the MIT REAP NI Deep Tech Accelerator programme organised by QUBIS, which has helped them to focus on building the team, devise a strategy for Intellectual Property, implement regulatory processes and prepare for Investor Readiness including pitching.

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Re-Vana Therapeutics is a 2016 start up, a QUB spinout, developing innovative long-acting ocular drug delivery technologies. The technologies offer innovations on delivering drugs to the eye and so can improve treatment of unmet diseases.

Macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease are responsible for 74% of blindness related to retina eye diseases. Unfortunately, delivering drugs to the eye to treat these conditions presents significant challenges. Firstly, frequent (monthly or bi-monthly) and uncomfortable intravitreal injections for serious retina diseases are required, which can lead to potential complications. Secondly, while topical eye drops are a common for eye diseases such as glaucoma, poor patient compliance rates of 90% are reported. To advance treatment and improve patient outcomes, sustained release technologies capable of delivering drugs to the eye for six months or longer are necessary.

To overcome the above problem, Prof Raj Thakur (Founder and CTO) and his team identified a solution which can result in significant reduction in frequency of intraocular injections or eyedrops. The innovate photocrosslinked technologies can deliver biologics and small molecule therapeutics to the eye for an extended period of 6 months to 2 years. These long-acting drug delivery technologies can achieve prolonged therapeutic drug concentrations in the target ocular tissues, whilst both improving patient adherence to therapy and limiting systemic exposure and side effects. 

After successfully completing the ICURe programme (Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research) program, a UK-based initiative designed to help academic researchers commercialize their research, Re-Vana Therapeutics spun out in the year 2016.

Since its inception, Re-Vana Therapeutics has made significant progress in advancing its research and development efforts. As a specialty drug delivery company focused on developing sustained-release therapeutics for the treatment of vision-threatening ocular diseases, Re-Vana Therapeutics' innovative approach to drug delivery has the potential to address significant unmet medical needs in this field.

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