FAST FACTS
FOUNDER(S):
Dr. William Beschorner
INNOVATION(S):
Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals
EMPLOYEES:
3
HEADQUARTERS:
Blair, NE
FOUNDED:
1993
TSC MEMBER INSTITUTION(S):
University of Nebraska
FUNDING AGENCY(S):
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Standards and Technology
STATUS:
Private
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XIMEREX, INC.
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Ximerex, Inc. is dedicated to the treatment of tissue and organ failure by transplanting cells, tissues, and organs from pigs with either no or minimal anti-rejection drugs. For example, patients with type 1 diabetes have lost the insulin producing cells found in pancreatic islets. Lost cells could be replaced by transplantation from human donors, but anti-rejection drugs would be needed to prevent rejection, making the patient more susceptible to infection. Islets and islet cell clusters isolated from the pancreas of pigs could potentially replace those cells, but pig tissues would be more vigorously rejected than human tissues. Ximerex is developing proprietary and patented technology for growing foreign cells, including human cells, within fetal pigs. Later, xenografts from humanized pigs are accepted without limiting the patient’s ability to fight infections. Ximerex currently produces fresh and cryopreserved quality tissues, such as pancreatic islets and islet cell clusters, from high grade clean pigs (SPF and DPF, VitalPure). These tissues are provided to investigators studying diabetes and other diseases. Ximerex intends to pursue FDA-allowed clinical trials of its proprietary technology and, if successful, would explore corporate partnerships to market and distribute its technology.
UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCH CONNECTION:
Ximerex, Inc. grew from research that Dr. William Beschorner conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has conducted transplantation of pig pancreatic islets in diabetic primate animal models with significant success eliminating or reducing the need for insulin. He is also investigating pig heart xenografts in preclinical animal models.
ROLE OF FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING:
Dr. Beschorner received federal support from the National Institutes of Health through the Small Business Innovation Research program and the Advanced Technology Program at the Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Ximerex, Inc. also received funding from foundations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and from private investors.
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XIMEREX, INC.