A Richmond biotech company recently took a step forward with the first human implantation of its product.
Cellf Bio makes a bioengineered sphincter muscle. The treatment helps patients with fecal incontinence, where the anal sphincter muscle does not work properly. The condition affects millions of people and the company estimates a $2 billion market for its product.
Dr. Jaime Bohl, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, performed the surgery. The operation was successful, and the patient is recovering, the company said last week.
Dr. Khalil Bitar developed the technology while working as a researcher at the University of Michigan. Bohl connected with Bitar, and they began working together to develop the BioSphincter implant. That led Bitar to relocate to the VA Bio+Tech Park in Richmond last year.
The company’s product cultures cells within the patient’s body and implants them back into the sphincter. The company says about 30% of patients are not helped through current care methods and can benefit from the technology.
Cellf Bio told Richmond Inno in February it anticipated a six-year timeline to get its product to market. The human trials represent a big step in that pursuit, and it expects the trials to continue for several more months.
Bitar said in a statement the company is “committed to continuing development” of its implant.
Up until now, the company’s research has been funded through grants from the National Institutes of Health. The company also received a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the Small Business Administration for the phase 1 clinical trials. Cellf BIO is looking to also raise private funds for phase 1 clinical trials but has not divulged how much money it is planning to raise.
