The Science Behind Q-Cells®

Diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), transverse myelitis (TM) and cerebral palsy—often referred to as demyelinating diseases—become evident when cells providing the myelin sheath that insulates the "connecting wires" of the nervous system are damaged or destroyed.

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As this myelin sheath is part of a living cell, the most straightforward and effective treatment would be to replace the damaged cells.  Replacement cells would then follow internal cues to restore myelin.

Unlike existing pharmaceutical products, Q-Cells® (glial progenitors) are designed to perform this basic restorative function.  In models of demyelination, Q-Cells essentially act as replacement "factories," stepping in to produce the missing myelin sheath that existing neurons need to function properly. This approach, which restores the function of existing neurons rather than attempting to replace them, should lead to reduced risk, safer and more predictable results, and faster development times.

Because of the powerful remyelinating properties of Q-Cells, our first applications will focus on demyelinating diseases and injuries including transverse myelitis and MS, along with drug screening to identify follow-on pharmaceutical products.  We will evaluate products for cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and white matter stroke.  As Q-Cells also produce essential growth factors that promote neuronal health and function, future products may target other neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease) and Parkinson's Disease.