X-Therma, a member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), recently announced significant strides towards changing the future of organ preservation and transportation. On March 13, the San Francisco-based company announced developments in its research pipeline and the finalization of Series B funding.
Xiaoxi Wei, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of X-Therma, has made it her life’s mission to “uncover solutions to increase organ availability and to one day abolish the organ transplant list,” as she previously told Bio.News. Her journey began with the investigation of anti-freeze proteins (AFPs), whose resilience allowed a variety of aquatic species to survive at sub-zero temperatures. The evolving platform in place at X-Therma involves their own novel molecule, or “peptoid,” that was developed using biomimetic science.
The infusion of Series B funding will help drive the company towards global commercial operations and the progression into the clinical stage of R&D.
What’s in the X-Therma pipeline?
X-Therma’s breakthrough, non-toxic cryopreservation fluid, XT-Thrive, is poised to provide advanced cell recovery and functionality for life-saving regenerative modalities, such as vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and bioengineered tissues. XT-Thrive stands out as an alternative to standard cryopreservation agents, known for its ability to be a “plug and play” technology for cell and tissue manufacturing.
Further innovation comes with XT-NoVo, a preservation solution, and TimeSeal, the company’s smart sensor tissue and cell transporter. These technologies are designed to safely extend the shelf-life of stored and shipped biologics, which could ultimately alleviate concerns about the need for rapid shipment times.
XT-ViVo, X-Therma’s next-generation cryopreservation product, is at low concentrations non-toxic, and capable of controlling ice formation. XT-ViVo, when paired with the TimeSeal Organ Transplant Device, can prevent damaging ice crystal formation at sub-zero temperatures while simultaneously maintaining organ functionality and viability.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation of XT-ViVo and TimeSeal as Breakthrough Devices in May 2022 sets the stage for safe and effective kidney preservation and storage time of up to 120 hours. According to Dr. Wei, “the goal is to minimize tissue damage, extend the time for transport, increase the global availability of organs,” and, in turn, “expand the organ donor pool and improve donor-recipient matching.”
What’s next for X-Therma
X-Therma is sharply focused on addressing unmet clinical needs, advancing and commercializing technologies for broad therapeutic use. The completion of an oversubscribed $22.4 million Series B funding round opens up the opportunity for X-Therma to advance its pipeline. This includes XT-Thrive and XT-NoVo for regenerative medicine and cell therapy and XT-ViVo and TimeSeal for organ preservation and transplantation.
“This funding marks a pivotal moment as we prepare to launch our GMP-grade cryopreservation and cold-chain solutions into the commercial market,” says Dr. Wei. “It will propel us into the forefront of organ transplantation innovation, with our emerging products eliminating time as a critical constraint, with the potential to save millions of lives.”
“The market’s response validates our belief in X-Therma’s technologies and their potential to revolutionize not only organ transplantation, but also to extend global organ sharing beyond what was once deemed possible,” adds Dr. Wei. “We are ready to bring our products to customers and patients and begin the transport of organs around the globe.”
