RISE

Exosomes are an emerging class of biopharmaceuticals, with the first treatments reaching patients in the next few years. Exosomes are biological ‘nanoparticles’ made by cells in the human body. Exosomes contain messages that are ‘shuttled’ between cells, allowing them to communicate. Their development as disease treatments is a fast growing area, with research occurring globally, including at Swansea University. There are only a handful of companies that are producing exosomes, and Wales is home to one of them, ReNeuron, based in Pencoed. However new technologies are required to test and purify exosomes before they can be used in clinical trials, and Ig Innovations in Llandysul are experts in producing such technologies using antibodies.

The RISE project is a collaboration between Swansea University, ReNeuron and Ig Innovations, that will involve characterising and purifying exosomes produced by ReNeuron. This will allow the team to understand what type of cancers exosomes can be used to treat, and how they can be prepared ready for clinical trials.

Ultimately, the RISE project will build the Welsh business eco-system necessary to produce therapeutic exosomes, for the treatment of patients in Wales and globally, and to strengthen the Welsh economy through the growth of this high value industry.