Home Page

About Us

Investors

Inventors

Portfolio

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Portfolio - The RhinoCyte Story

In my laboratory at the University of Louisville, we have developed a method for isolating stem cells from human olfactory epithelium - the lifelong regenerating lining of the nasal passage responsible for our ability to smell. Most adult stem cells are not easily accessible. Other nervous system stem cells, for example, must be harvested from the brain or spinal cord, both very risky procedures that require highly invasive surgery.

We have developed procedures to harvest these cells from the olfactory epithelium that we obtain through endoscopic biopsy from patients of all ages and found them to be especially hardy and flexible, with great potential.

By directing the development of these stem cells in various ways, we have developed techniques that show promise as potential cell replacement and environmental modulatory therapies for a wide variety of traumatic and degenerative diseases. The added benefit to these therapies is that the treatment comes from a patient's own cells, allowing for total histocompatibility and thus avoiding the need for immunosuppressive drugs as well as the ethical controversy associated with embryonic stem cells.

Creation of a Company

RhinoCyte was founded in Summer 2005. The MetaCyte team came to U of L looking for projects in the pipeline that may be innovative and have some scientific and commercial potential.

After hearing of our work and seeing a film of animals recovering from spinal cord injury, the MetaCyte team did some research of their own and exposed potential markets for our technology.

RhinoCyte has received approval for an initial investment from the Kentucky Seed Capital Fund which is supporting our continuing efforts that will result in a workable business strategy.

Working with Metacyte

There are some scientists who grow up understanding the business model and how it can coexist with their work. Most of us, however, simply went into research because we loved science. We are interested in the academic satisfaction of finding out the whys and hows that can lead to a better life.

In today's environment of translational research, partnering with MetaCyte is key.

Through our partnership with MetaCyte, I am comforted that their destiny is tied to my destiny. We each are adding to it through our own strengths.

The MetaCyte team has guided us through initial funding presentations, market research and preparation of our business plan. This allows me to focus on what I know, confident that experts are diligently working on the other facets needed for success.

MetaCyte fosters development at a much faster rate, and creates companies, like RhinoCyte, that may not have emerged at all.






July 16, 2010
Intrepid Bioinformatics Receives Investment, Meets Milestones

May 6, 2010
MetaCyte Business Lab Receives Mention in Nature (PDF)

March 31, 2010
MetaCyte Recognized for Innovation

March 15, 2010
Teresa Leezer Honored a Second Time for Excellence in Business Management

February 23, 2010
Gailar Addresses Leaders as Part of Innovation Panel

January 2010
Triathlon Medical Ventures and the Kentucky Seed Capital Fund Lead Investment in Louisville Start-Up

November 2009
MetaCyte Advisor Bill Strench Featured in Business First (External Link)

November 2009
EndoProtech Awarded $270,000 from Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

August 25, 2009
Pierce Named Interim Head of UofL Research (External Link)

July 1, 2009
AllTranz Named Top Innovator by National Venture Group

May 8, 2009
ApoImmune Finalist for "Best Early-Stage Vaccine Biotech" at World Vaccine Congress ViE Awards

September 12, 2008
MetaCyte Team Shows Off New Offices

June 18, 2008
Teresa Leezer Honored by Cambridge Who's Who for Excellence in Business Management

Summer 2006
A UofL research team led by Fred Roisen, Ph.D., has developed a breakthrough adult stem-cell therapy that repairs spinal-cord damage in paralyzed rats (External Link)