The RhinoCyte, Inc. Story

Fred J. Roisen, Ph.D. and his team at the University of Louisville in the Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology developed a method for culturing and isolating human adult stem cells from the olfactory epithelium - the lifelong regenerating lining of the nasal passage that is responsible for our ability to smell. RhinoCyte, Inc. was founded in Summer 2005 in partnership with MetaCyte Business Lab, LLC. RhinoCyte is focused on the development and commercialization of diagnostic tools and therapies for stem cell treatment of multiple degenerative and traumatic neurological diseases.

RhinoCyte is proposing changing the treatment paradigm available for neurodegenerative disorders and diseases. These treatments have been palliative in nature acting to improve only the symptomatic manifestations of the diseases.  RhinoCyte’s technology has the potential to facilitate functional recovery in these patients. 

Potential application of this technology includes therapeutic stem cell transplantation with cells from the patient's own nasal cavity, eliminating the need for immunosuppressive therapy.  RhinoCyte’s innovative process could eventually be used to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal cord injuries.  However, based upon completed research and development activities as well as various market dynamics, RhinoCyte will initially focus on spinal cord injuries.

RhinoCyte plans to offer this service to physicians who are treating patients for a variety of neurological conditions.  According to a standardized procedure the olfactory tissue would be harvested endoscopically by an ENT physician at the patient’s site.  The tissue will then be shipped to RhinoCyte’s Louisville laboratory and grown in culture according to procedures developed for the specific disease or injury being treated.  The patient’s developed stem cells will then be shipped back to their neurosurgeon for implantation.

Intellectual Property

 

 

 

Executive Summary

The RhinoCyte Team

Video Links

Fred J. Roisen, Ph.D
Founder, President and C.E.O.
201 E. Jefferson, Suite 135
Louisville, KY 40202
fjrois01@louisville.edu
502-852-6227
U of L Website