FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Caralynn Nowinski Collens, CEO, Dimension Inx, caralynncollens@dimensioninx.com

Dimension Inx awarded grant to develop regenerative medical product for tracheal repair

CHICAGO, Illinois, USA – May 3, 2021 – Dimension Inx, a regenerative biomaterials company, has been awarded funding from the United States Department of Defense to develop innovative products to repair tracheal injuries.

The $240,000 award will support the initial development of a new tracheal implant solution that overcomes current limitations and can be readily applied for emergency treatment as well as restoration of long-term patient health.In contrast, Tissue Papers are mechanically robust enough to be cut, rolled, folded, or sutured, as needed, without breaking, crumpling, or tearing. They act like thin paper-like sponges – initially dry but highly absorbent, presenting an important characteristic for surgical use where the ability to soak up blood and related nutrients is essential.

This project leverages Dimension Inx’s patented biomaterials platform for creating implantable constructs that emulate the complex microenvironment of the trachea. The constructs will be combined with a novel hydrogel to further support effective remodeling into normally functioning tracheal tissue.

“Our technology platform allows us to create unique, microstructurally-driven materials and structures that account for the complex multi-tissue environment of the trachea,” said Dr. Adam Jakus, Dimension Inx Chief Technology Officer and principal investigator for this project. “This is critical for promoting healthy tissue regeneration and restoring the original tissue functions.”

Tracheal injuries, such as those affecting military warfighters, can be immediately life-threatening, compromising the ability to breathe and requiring emergency stabilization. Current emergency treatment options are severely limited, and even with successful stabilization, long-term comprehensive medical treatment is often required to maintain patient health. Surgical approaches to treat tracheal defects are complex with up to 80% mortality, in large part due to the limited efficacy of implant options.

“Tissue engineering and cell therapy hold promise for providing much needed solutions for these patients,” said Daniel Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division of the Department of Medicine at the University of Vermont and project co-investigator. “This award will advance our early work toward addressing a significant unmet medical problem.”

The 18-month project aims to also lay the groundwork for a new approach for creating multi-tissue regenerative structures for broader soft tissue applications, including esophagus, larynx, and facial cartilage repair.

+ About Dimension Inx

Dimension Inx is the architect of regenerative microenvironments. Our materials give the body a blueprint to heal itself.

We take a materials-centric approach to solving patient needs. Our bioactive materials and structures emulate the body’s microenvironment to elicit a regenerative response. Our patented biomaterials platform and additive manufacturing process are highly adaptable to enable design for biofunctionality and manufacturability. We work with leading product and R&D organizations to co-create a wide variety of clinical applications and accelerate the development of new regenerative solutions.

Dimension Inx is proudly based in Chicago, Illinois.  To learn more about our team and our technology, please visit www.dimensioninx.com.

+ About the Award

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick MD 21702-5014, is the awarding and administering acquisition office. This work is supported by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs endorsed by the Department of Defense, through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program under Award No. W81XWH-21-1-0291. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Army.