Cell therapy as a new intervention has shown promise in animal studies for the treatment of certain neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive/social deficits, not only during development (targeting regulation and homeostasis), but also after neurodegeneration (cell replacement and regenerative support). As a contract research organization in the field of psychiatric disorders, Ace Therapeutics provides clients with comprehensive preclinical research and testing services covering pharmacodynamic studies, drug safety evaluations, pharmacokinetic studies, and bioanalytical services. Our comprehensive preclinical testing services help clients accelerate their cell therapy development programs for psychiatric disorders.

Introduction of Cell Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders

Cell therapies for psychiatric disorders typically utilize specific types of cells to repair and modulate the function of the nervous system, which typically include neural stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, or adult cells with regenerative and regulatory capabilities. Pluripotent mesenchymal-derived stromal cells (MSCs) and lineage-restricted neuronal/glial progenitor cells (NPC/GPCs), oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), and immature neurons differentiated from various types of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have all been suggested as suitable sources of cells to be transplanted into a wide range of animal models suffering from neuropsychiatric pathologies and cognitive disorders.

Cell applications have been used in recent preclinical studies to treat specific groups of patients with psychiatric disorders or genetic models. Examples include the use of inhibitory eNpHR3.0 optogenetic channel-engineered mouse ESC-differentiated cells for the treatment of a rat model of schizophrenia, the use of mouse ESC-differentiated cells for the treatment of cognitive deficits after TBI in mice, and the use of stem cell therapies for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Cellular therapies thus present promising and innovative options for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Fig. 1 Mechanism of potential beneficial effects from stem cell therapy in individuals with PTSD. (Gala, D.; et al., 2021)

How We Can Help You Develop Cell Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders

Ace Therapeutics leverages our experience and expertise in the field of psychiatric disorders as well as in preclinical drug discovery to provide customers with a one-stop solution to help accelerate their psychiatric cell therapy development programs.

• Animal model selection and development

We create appropriate animal models to simulate specific psychiatric disorders and help clients evaluate the safety and efficacy of cellular therapies.

• Safety pharmacology assessment services

We assess the potential undesired effects of drugs on physiologic function at doses within or above the therapeutic range. This typically encompasses effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system.

• In vitro pharmacodynamic study

We evaluate the modulatory effects of cell therapy on symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders in animal models. With our molecular biology, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and histological analysis techniques, we can analyze the structure, cellular function, or pharmacology of nerves or neuronal networks to evaluate the effects of cell therapy.

• In vivo pharmacodynamic study

We evaluate cell therapies for psychiatric disorders through cell culture experiments as well as in vitro tissue sections. By drug-treating these cells in an in vitro setting, we can evaluate the efficacy and safety of drug candidates and screen cell therapies with therapeutic potential.

• Toxicology assessment services

Cell therapies may involve non-clinical safety risks. Ace Therapeutics offers comprehensive toxicology evaluation services to help clients assess the safety of potential cell therapies.

Advantages of Ace Therapeutics

• Customized preclinical solutions based on drug type, targeted disease mechanism, and target indication characteristics.
• With a wealth of animal models and a variety of advanced analytical techniques, we help our clients accelerate the preclinical development process of cell therapies for psychiatric disorders by taking into account the characteristics of different R&D programs.
• Adjust preclinical development strategies and trial protocols promptly according to the latest regulatory requirements.

Ace Therapeutics is dedicated to providing comprehensive cell therapy solutions that facilitate the advancement of innovative psychiatric disorder treatments. We provide high-quality preclinical evaluation services to assist you in accelerating your workflow from research discovery to clinical studies. Please contact us for more details and we will be happy to assist you.

Reference

1. Gala, D.; et al. Stem cell therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: a novel therapeutic approach. Diseases. 9.4 (2021): 77.