Likarda

About:

Likarda is a biotech developing cell therapies and enabling technologies to transform the way cell therapies are delivered and function.

Website: http://likarda.com/

Twitter/X: likardallc

Top Investors: Missouri Technology Corporation, Werth Ventures

Description:

Likarda is a biotech company developing cell therapies and enabling technologies to transform the way cell therapies are delivered and function. Likarda's foundational technology is based on cell encapsulation and delivery in hydrogels using our patented Core-Shell Spherification® (CSS™) platform, an entirely new modality for the delivery of 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.