Bio-Spun™ Cell Chamber (BSCC): Advancing Long-Term Cell-Based Therapies [Monthly Spin-Off #15]

Background and Significance

Treating chronic illnesses like diabetes, liver disease, and certain infectious or rare diseases often requires the long-term delivery of protein drugs or biologics. However, many patients struggle with consistent access due to supply chain disruptions or economic barriers. These lapses in therapy can lead to severe health complications.

To address this, researchers have been exploring implantable devices that use living cells to deliver therapeutic proteins directly inside the body. Yet, many of these devices have failed due to materials that trigger fibrosis (scar tissue formation), which blocks nutrient inflow and therapeutic protein release—ultimately limiting effectiveness.

The Bio-Spun™ Cell Chamber (BSCC)

BioSurfaces has developed an innovative implantable device called the Bio-Spun™ Cell Chamber (BSCC) to overcome these challenges. The BSCC uses nanofiber technology that mimics the body’s natural extracellular matrix (ECM)—creating an optimal environment for cell survival, integration, and function.

Figure 1. The structure of the fibers (top left) comprising the BSCC (right) resembles the body’s natural scaffold known as extracellular matrix (bottom left)

Key Features

• Three-Layered Wall Structure:

  • Inner Layer: Engineered from Bio-Spun™ material to support encapsulated cells.

  • Middle Membrane: Allows nutrient inflow and protein outflow, while blocking immune cells and preventing cell escape.

  • Outer Layer: Also Bio-Spun™, this layer prevents fibrotic response and supports tissue integration, including vascularization.

• Immunoprotective Design: Enables the safe encapsulation of genetically engineered cells to produce targeted biologics without triggering immune rejection.

  
  

Proven Versatility and Performance

The BSCC has been tested with a range of therapeutic applications:

Figure 3. Theracyte control versus BSCC device, both with antibody-producing ARPE-19 cells, after implantation for various time

• Anti-HIV Antibody Production: Cells producing 3BNC117 showed consistent output over time

• Anti-inflammatory Therapy: Encapsulated cells producing Ustekinumab demonstrated sustained release in vivo.

• Diabetes Treatment: Human pancreatic islet cells housed in the BSCC responded to glucose stimulation and maintained insulin production both in vitro and in animal models (Figure 3).

These results highlight the BSCC’s potential as a customizable, long-term therapeutic platform for a variety of diseases.

Looking Ahead: Next-Generation BSCC

BioSurfaces is currently developing new features to enhance the BSCC’s usability and flexibility, including:

Self-Sealing Port Design (Figure 4)

Figure 4. BSCC with addition of a resealable port.

A resealable port eliminates the need for ultrasonic sealing devices, allowing cells to be loaded using a standard needle. Once the needle is withdrawn, the port seals automatically—simplifying the process and reducing equipment costs. This upgrade may also open the door for cell reinjection, providing additional therapeutic flexibility.

Custom Configurations

We continue to work with partners to tailor the BSCC for specific implantation sites and cell therapy goals. The structure and geometry can be adapted to meet diverse clinical and research needs.

Conclusion

The Bio-Spun™ Cell Chamber represents a major advancement in the delivery of long-term, cell-based therapies. By combining biomimetic design with customizable function, the BSCC offers a powerful platform to support the next generation of biologic treatments—especially in settings where continuous access to care is limited.