A technology developed at TAU is entering a new stage, as preparations begin to identify patients for a potential first treatment in 2027

A year after we first reported on a technology developed at Tel Aviv University that could one day help people with spinal cord injuries walk again, the research is moving closer to its first potential use in a human patient.

The technology, which emerged from TAU’s Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, is being developed by biotech company Matricelf as a biological neural implant for treating spinal cord injuries. The company has now signed a collaboration agreement with Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center of Clalit Health Services to begin preparations for what is intended to become the world’s first implantation of an engineered spinal cord in a person with paralysis following spinal cord injury.

Under the agreement, Loewenstein will soon begin identifying and evaluating patients who may be suitable for the treatment and collecting blood samples needed to produce personalized neural implants. According to Matricelf, this represents a significant step toward bringing the technology into humans and eventually testing whether it can help people with paralysis stand, walk, and regain greater independence.

The scientific breakthrough is based on organ-engineering technology developed at Tel Aviv University by Prof. Tal Dvir of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, who also serves as Matricelf’s Chief Scientist.

Prof. Tal Dvir in his laboratory at Tel Aviv University

Preparing a Personalized Implant

Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Israel’s largest rehabilitation center and one of the world’s leading centers for the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries, will be responsible for the clinical aspects of the collaboration. This includes identifying and evaluating potential patients and supporting them throughout the process.

Once a suitable patient is identified and agrees to participate, a blood sample will be collected to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

These cells will form the cellular component of an autologous neural implant—an implant produced individually for each patient from their own cells. According to Matricelf, beginning this process marks an important transition from scientific development toward preparation for clinical implementation and helps build the infrastructure required for the first implantation in a human patient.

Because producing each personalized implant takes several months, collecting blood samples at this early stage will allow production of the implant and the regulatory process to move forward in parallel. Matricelf estimates that, if everything proceeds as planned, the process could be completed and treatment of the selected patient could begin in the first half of 2027.

The agreement with Loewenstein complements Matricelf’s collaboration with Sheba Medical Center, where the first implantation procedure is expected to be performed.

Researcher in the Matricelf laboratory. (Photo: Matricelf)

A Biological “Spare Part” for the Spinal Cord

Matricelf’s technology originated in Prof. Dvir’s laboratory at TAU’s Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine. The approach uses the patient’s own cells and tissues to produce a personalized neural implant—a kind of biological “spare part” designed to replace damaged tissue—which is then implanted at the site of the spinal cord injury.

By using cells and tissues from the patient’s own body, the researchers aim to reduce the risk of implant rejection and improve its integration into the body.

The ultimate goal is to test whether the engineered implant can help restore function following spinal cord injury, with the hope of enabling people living with paralysis to stand, walk, and regain greater independence.

What Happens Before the First Implantation?

Matricelf has also reached understandings with the Israeli Ministry of Health that will allow some preparations for the first treatment to begin while the regulatory review continues. According to the company, this is expected to streamline preparations for treatment, subject to receiving all required approvals.

Matricelf emphasizes that the collaboration with Loewenstein and the beginning of the patient identification process do not constitute approval to begin the clinical trial or perform implantations in humans.

Treatment can begin only after all scientific and regulatory milestones have been completed and final approval has been received from the Israeli Ministry of Health.

Dr. Dianne Michaeli, Deputy Director of the Orenstein Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Department at Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, says:

“The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Department at Loewenstein is a leader in this field in Israel, with extensive experience in treating people with complex spinal cord injuries. Our in-depth familiarity with the patients and their rehabilitation processes enables us to contribute to the identification and evaluation of suitable candidates for the study.

The collaboration with Matricelf connects Loewenstein’s clinical and rehabilitation expertise with innovative regenerative medicine technology, in the hope that in the future it will be possible to offer new treatment options to people living with paralysis due to spinal cord injury.”

If the implantation goes ahead, it would mark a major milestone for a technology that began in a Tel Aviv University laboratory and is now moving closer to its first potential application in the human body.