cell therapies. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions because every cell therapy is unique. Unlike technologies that utilize alginate or modify alginate, Likarda utilizes readily available and biocompatible hydrogel materials such Hyaluronic Acid, PEG, PVA, and a number of other chemistries to create microcapsules that can easily house cell-based therapies. Likarda’s large library of formulations enable matching the precise hydrogel to the cell therapy specifications.

This can produce superior biocompatible cell-based treatments for either: (1) injectable cell therapies in a slow-release, degradable formulation enabling localization and increased efficacy, or (2) coating the cells in an immunoprotective barrier for injection/transplant for long-term treatments.

CSS is versatile, enabling both durable and degradable versions, and can be applied to a variety of cell therapies.

Likarda is developing treatments for diabetes, osteoarthritis, and joint pain. Our long-term platform is being utilized to deliver and protect islet-like cells for the treatment of diabetes. This has shown success in small and large animal models and we’re continuing to conduct pre-clinical testing in spontaneously diabetic dogs. Our short-term platform is being developed for osteoarthritis whereby encapsulated stem cells are injected into the knee and then slowly released over a 6-8 week period, bringing successful treatment of joint pain and reversal of the OA joint degradation.

Along its many awards, Likarda was chosen as “One of the 50 Most Promising Start-Ups in the World” during Global Entrepreneurship Week. To date, Likarda has been funded for over $8M through private investments, grants, and revenue-generating contract services.