ECM Therapeutics, Inc. is a regenerative medicine company that develops and manufactures diagnostic and therapeutic products derived from a naturally occurring material called extracellular matrix (ECM).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pittsburgh, PA – ECM Therapeutics, Inc. (“ECMT”) has obtained worldwide exclusive rights from the University of Pittsburgh for an extensive patent portfolio in certain fields of use based upon Extracellular Matrix (“ECM”) technologies developed in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Badylak at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and collaboratively with other Pitt investigators. The licensed technology includes ECM hydrogels, bioactive derivatives of ECM, and other forms of ECM, as well as methods required to deliver these materials to various anatomic sites such as the central nervous system, portions of the gastrointestinal tract, and musculoskeletal system, among others.
Extracellular matrix is a naturally occurring reservoir for potent signaling molecules within all tissues and has the ability to influence cell behavior, control inflammation, and promote the restoration of functional tissue that would otherwise be relegated to scar tissue formation following injury. ECM hydrogels represent the next generation of ECM bioscaffolds that were introduced to the marketplace in the 1990’s and have since benefited more than 10 million patients for applications that include hernia repair, reconstruction of heart defects, and repair of traumatic muscle injuries. ECM hydrogels are a liquid at room temperature and form a gel at body temperature, allowing for the delivery of the ECM to locations in the body where placement of a “solid” ECM form would be extremely challenging.
Paul Fagan, JD, CPA joined the company in April 2018 as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Fagan was a co-founder of Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals, LLC which was acquired in 2010. Paul brings a successful business and legal background to the team. ECMT has leased lab and office space in Warrendale, PA and will initially pursue development of EsophaGel™ ECM hydrogel, a treatment for Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous condition that currently has no effective therapy. The EsophaGel™ ECM hydrogel solution is designed and manufactured to adhere to the surface of the esophagus and has been shown, in pre-clinical studies, to halt, and possibly reverse, the progression of esophageal cancer.
ECM Therapeutics was founded by Dr. Badylak and business development colleague Katie Collins. The University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Badylak, and two members of his laboratory, Drs. Jenna Dziki and George Hussey, also hold equity in the company. Drs. Badylak, Dziki, and Hussey serve as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer, Vice President of Product Development, and Vice President of Research and Development, respectively.
“We are pleased to license this portfolio of patents and patent applications to a startup company based in the Pittsburgh region,” said Alex Ducruet, Director for Licensing and Intellectual Property in Pitt’s Innovation Institute. “Dr. Badylak is one of Pitt’s most prolific innovators, and we look forward to the positive impact that these regenerative medicine technologies will have on people’s lives.”
To learn more about product development or investing opportunities, contact Katie Collins, Co-Founder and VP of Business Development, kcollins@ecmtherapeutics.com.
About ECM Therapeutics:
ECM Therapeutics, Inc. (ECMT) is a regenerative medicine company that develops and manufactures diagnostic and therapeutic products derived from a naturally occurring material called extracellular matrix (ECM). ECMT currently licenses more than 30 patents and patent applications for technology developed in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Badylak at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, and collaboratively with other Pitt investigators. For more information visit: ecmtherapeutics.com.
Press contact:
Katie Collins
kcollins@ecmtherapeutics.com
858-752-2091