Novel Therapeutics:
Bioactive Immune Modulation for Breakthrough Peripheral Nerve Repair
Dr. Jonathan Cheng, M.D.
- Professor of Plastic Surgery, and Chief of Pediatric Hand, Peripheral Nerve, and Microvascular Surgery.
Peripheral nerve injuries often lead to permanent loss of function because today’s surgical techniques cannot reliably repair large nerve gaps without harvesting nerve tissue from elsewhere in the body. Dr. Cheng’s team has developed a first-in-class, bioactive approach that uses a precise combination of immune-modulating drugs applied locally at the time of surgery to dramatically accelerate nerve regrowth. This method has been shown in preclinical models to regenerate nerves across gaps greater than 3 cm, an outcome that current technologies cannot achieve without autografts. Importantly, the drug classes involved include agents that have already been used safely in humans, reducing development and regulatory risk. If translated clinically, this platform could redefine the standard of care in nerve repair and address a multi-billion-dollar global market.
