Our Pipeline
Advanced Tissue Constructs
A urinary conduit is a pathway for urine to leave the body when a person’s bladder is removed due to cancer or other reasons. This new pathway is constructed using a segment of the patient’s small intestines and is used to divert urine to a stoma, on the abdomen. Urine then continuously drains into a collection pouch worn on the outside of the abdomen.1 Humacyte is investigating alternative treatment options to avoid the use of small intestines in this procedure.
- Using a segment of the small intestine for the conduit requires a more intricate surgery, which can lead to additional complications in the digestive system beyond the urinary challenges, intestinal leaks, or the original obstruction.2
The Humacyte® Urinary Conduit is currently in preclinical development.
The trachea is a critical passageway that allows air to flow from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Damage to the airway and need for a replacement can be caused by cancer, infection, prolonged intubation leading to severe scarring or narrowing, or birth defects. Tracheal replacement surgery is considered for severe damage or disease to the trachea (windpipe).3 Humacyte is investigating tracheal replacement alternatives.
- Limited donor transplant options and potential donor rejection.3
- Current surgical options may not be suitable for all patients.3
Humacyte’s Tracheal Program is currently in preclinical development.
Esophageal replacement surgery may become necessary when the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach, is severely damaged or diseased. This can occur due to esophageal cancer, a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus, swallowing difficulties, or other causes like perforations or strictures. Currently there are a few options to reconstruct the esophagus after removing the affected section. The most common approach uses stomach tissue. Large or small intestinal tissue may also be used in some cases.4 Humacyte is investigating esophageal replacement alternatives.
- Patients can have long-term conditions or complications as a result of using stomach or intestinal tissues for reconstruction such as reflux or nutritional deficiencies as these tissues have a different structure than the esophagus.5
- Not all patients are candidates for this procedure due to overall health for the conditions of the surrounding tissues.6
Humacyte’s Esophageal Program is currently in preclinical development.
- Urinary Diversion | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urinary-diversion.
- Igel DA, Chestnut CJ, Lee EK. Urinary diversion and reconstruction following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a narrative review. AME Medical Journal. 2021;6:4-4. doi:https://doi.org/10.21037/amj-20-76.
- Delaere P, Van Raemdonck D. Tracheal replacement. Journal of thoracic disease. 2016;8(Suppl 2):S186-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2016.01.85.
- Esophagectomy - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. Published 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/esophagectomy/about/pac-20385084.
- Shu Y, Sun C, Shi W, Shi H, Lu S, Wang K. Tubular stomach or whole stomach for esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal approach: a comparative clinical study on anastomotic leakage. Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -). 2013;182(3):477-480. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-013-0917-y.
- Esophageal Cancer Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Surgical Indications and Contraindications, Esophagectomy. eMedicine. Published online August 16, 2023. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/277930-treatment?form=fpf.