Florida Patent of the Month – June 2024
Longeveron Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company, has introduced a breakthrough method aimed at improving how vaccines work, especially for older adults who may not respond as well to traditional vaccines. Their innovation centers around using allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as vaccine boosters.
What sets Longeveron’s approach apart is its focus on tackling inflammaging and aging frailty—common challenges in older individuals. By identifying those showing signs of these conditions, Longeveron administers the vaccine alongside MSCs that haven’t been genetically altered. These cells help by reducing inflammaging (i.e. age-related increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in blood and tissues), which can weaken the immune system over time.
The company is seeing promising results, with effects like the levels of a marker called TNF-α in certain immune cells decreasing, showing that the MSCs are helping to regulate the immune response. At the same time, the balance of different types of immune cells improves, strengthening the body’s ability to fight off infections. This approach also boosts the number of memory cells that ‘remember’ past infections, which is crucial for long-term immunity.
Longeveron’s method is practical and adaptable. The MSCs used are from bone marrow and are carefully chosen to ensure they’re effective without causing unwanted side effects. They can be given through different methods like injections, tailoring the treatment to each person’s needs.
Looking ahead, Longeveron sees this innovation being used not just for one type of vaccine but for a range of them, from flu shots to vaccines against various viruses. They’re also exploring ways to make the treatment more convenient, such as providing kits with MSCs that are ready to use.
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