Nearly half a million people in the UK have diabetic foot ulcers that refuse to heal because their damaged blood vessels cannot deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. Current treatments fail for many of these patients, leaving them at risk of amputation and a drastically shortened life expectancy. The root problem is that the body’s natural process of building new blood vessels—revascularisation—is broken in diabetes. VascVersa has developed a cell therapy called Angicyte, made from umbilical cord blood, that directly stimulates blood vessel repair. Laboratory research with Queen’s University Belfast has already shown it works. Over the next 18 months, the team will standardise manufacturing with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, finalise a formulation that nurses can easily apply in clinics, and begin discussions with the NHS and NICE about pricing and reimbursement. If successful, Angicyte could become a practical, off-the-shelf treatment that fits into existing care pathways and dramatically reduces the number of amputations and the burden on the NHS. A first-in-human clinical trial is planned.
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VascVersa is developing an innovative cell therapy designed to revolutionize the treatment of chronic non-healing wounds, specifically focusing on diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Despite extensive medical research, current available treatments fall short, with a staggering 39% of treated wounds failing to heal, primarily due to insufficient blood supply. This presents a significant healthcare challenge both in the UK and globally, affecting nearly half a million individuals in the UK alone. These wounds not only inflict substantial pain and hardship on sufferers but also hinder their ability to engage in work. Left untreated, the condition can escalate to limb amputation, significantly reducing life expectancy. Beyond the personal toll, this places a tremendous financial strain on the NHS, exceeding £1 billion annually. These challenges are amplified on a global scale, as the diabetic population is projected to surge to almost 400 million by 2030\. In diabetic patients with non-healing wounds or ulcers, the process of vascular healing is compromised. VascVersa's breakthrough product, Angicyte, tackles this issue by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels. Collaborative research with Queen's University Belfast has confirmed Angicyte's effectiveness in promoting blood vessel repair. These specialized cells are derived from umbilical cord blood, and with the right laboratory conditions, a single cord blood donation can be swiftly expanded to yield sufficient cells for treating a large patient population. We can create highly pure therapeutic cells that will be used as a new therapy to enhance wound healing. Over the next 18 months, VascVersa, alongside partners, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) and the Cell and Gene therapy Catapult (CGTC)and Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre (ATCC) will standardise manufacture to generate Angicyte to clinically ready doses. VascVersa is committed to future-proofing Angicyte production by developing strategies around the cell banking and using innovative technologies to enable scalable production. We will also will also finalise the product formulation to enable ease of application by a nursing team and ensure Angicyte to fits into the current clinical care pathway. In parallel, we will build a support team of clinical experts, to allow us to engage with the NHS and NICE to discuss product reimbursement and pricing. This IUK project will lay strong foundations and allow the development of our unique cell therapy in preparation for the landmark FIH clinical trial planned for 2026\.
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