10 Years of Stories: Bones to Blood
This month’s headlines may not be the most hopeful for health, but there is a startup that is making groundbreaking research on an everyday part of our bodies. Ichosia Biotechnology innovated a method of turning stem cells into red blood cells. Their goal is to change how medicine has been practiced for 300 years. They believe their idea will one day disrupt the blood supply chain.
Sebastian Ortiz, COO, and Lucas Vining, the CEO, spurred their interest in biotechnology in high school. Sebastian said, “We were in the same Freshman Honors Bio class, and our teacher was really great. He himself had done some research in stem cells. The class was tough but we really learned a lot.” They continued to research stem cell science, leading them to found their current venture. The founders originally pursued to be doctors but they wanted their efforts to help more people. “You can aid hundreds of millions of people with a single product or treatment. We thought we could take our enthusiasm and our research incentive to a new level and help more people.”
Ichosia has developed a method to transform bone marrow derived stem cells into red blood cells. A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to develop into a specialized cell type either in the body or through genetic manipulation. They’re used in many different medical applications such as injection of stem cells into the brain after a stroke. The process that is utilized for manipulation is known as erythropoiesis. This is where the stem cell is transformed into an erythrocyte or red blood cell. Creating red blood cells from stem cells has already been done however Ichosia has innovated a better process. Their proprietary methods stem from a genetic basis, meaning they are able to manipulate these stem cells directly through the DNA. Though the current process is too expensive, Ichosia is about to utilize their own research to create red blood cells more efficiently and can streamline production. Their rare product will be a universal red blood cell source that is compatible with virtually any patient and is produced in a lab, reducing contamination risks. Although most of their processes are a trade secret, Ichosia has made it their goal to standardize this process across all blood supplies.
“Our one goal is to affect the one thing we know we can change, the blood supply chain.”
Every year, more than 4.5 million Americans need a blood transfusion and the current method has led to blood shortages. According to the Red Cross, 107 countries have insufficient blood supplies. The team at Ichosia believes that its process has the potential to cease the need for blood donations. The young entrepreneurs are focused on areas where blood supplies are low. Ichosia has been in talks with government representatives from Ghana and Kenya. Regulations in these countries would allow them to potentially go-to-market sooner. In the United States, it takes on average 12 years and more than $350 million to get a drug to the pharmacy shelf. The FDA has increased regulations every year for the last 20 years, making it harder to create new treatments. Sebastian said going-to-market in the United States is a priority but still a challenge.
Ichosia Bio plans to develop their first-generation product to gain expanded access from the FDA. This will allow them to physically deploy the product in hospitals and give patients who can’t find their blood type a chance to try this cutting-edge science. The startup still has many hurdles with regards to regulation and the FDA, as blood is the most regulated medical product in the world. For the time being, Ichosia is committed to proving that their blood substitute is safe and will be a game-changing addition to the medical field. Ichosia’s product is still in a research state, but in its final form the blood substitute is expected to be a safer, cheaper, and a more reliable product. Ichosia is on the brink of something that could make a big difference, which is why their work is special to IDEA. Looking back on all the unique founders our organization has worked with, it’s important to bring light to those who have gone the extra mile to better our communities too.
Citations:
“Critical Type O Blood Shortage.” Red Cross: Critical Type O Blood Shortage; Donors Needed Now, www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/news/article/critical-type-o-blood-shortage-donors-needed-now.html.
“Drug Approval Process Information.” Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/fda-approval-process.html.
McDonnell, Tim. “Hospitals Around The World Have A Dire Shortage Of Blood.” NPR, NPR, 22 Oct. 2019, www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/10/22/772258116/hospitals-around-the-world-have-a-dire-shortage-of-blood.
“It’s Not Just You: FDA Regulatory Requirements Really Are Increasing.” Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), www.raps.org/regulatory-focus%E2%84%A2/news-articles/2014/10/it-s-not-just-you-fda-regulatory-requirements-really-are-increasing.
“What Is a Stem Cell?” Facts, The Public Engagement Team at the Wellcome Genome Campus, 17 Aug. 2017, www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-stem-cell.
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/rogers-the-patient-opposite-n06217
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