The research of Hemera was featured on the Smart City podcast on Radio 24, dedicated to scientific and technological innovation, in an interview with Ilaria Decimo, co-founder and Director of Research & Development at Hemera.
The episode addressed one of the most ambitious challenges in regenerative medicine: the ability to stimulate nervous tissue regeneration — currently considered one of the most complex goals in modern biomedical research, particularly in the treatment of spinal cord injuries and other central nervous system disorders.
The research underlying Hemera’s technology stems from more than ten years of academic studies conducted between the University of Verona and the University of Milan, leading to a key discovery regarding the role of macrophages, immune system cells.
By observing the behavior of these cells in the tumor microenvironment, researchers discovered that macrophages can activate powerful tissue growth and regeneration mechanisms. This insight led to the idea of reprogramming them in the laboratory to transform them into regenerative cells capable of acting on damaged nervous tissue.
During the broadcast, the host described these cells as true “builders of the nervous system,” capable of supporting the reconstruction of neuronal connections.
As Decimo explained during the interview:
“We recreated these cells in the laboratory and induced them to become regenerative macrophages. When introduced into damaged nervous tissue, these cells are able, remarkably, to stimulate nerve regrowth and the reconstruction of connections.”
The research results, recently selected for the cover of the February issue of the international scientific journal Immunity, one of the most authoritative journals worldwide in immunology, form the foundation of REMaST®, Hemera’s proprietary cell therapy platform.
REMaST® is designed to simultaneously activate multiple regenerative processes: from neuronal growth to the formation of new blood vessels and tissue remodeling. It represents a systemic approach to regenerative medicine, with potential applications in other conditions characterized by tissue loss, which the host, Maurizio Melis, referred to during the interview as “one of the holy grails of medicine.”
The next step will be the clinical translation of the technology, with the goal — as Decimo emphasized — “to transform this scientific discovery into a concrete therapy for patients” through the initiation of the first-in-human clinical study.
Full interview here