In neurorestorative biotechnology and advanced hydrogel technologies, leadership is about more than just innovation—it’s about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Leaders in these sectors are pushing the boundaries of science, crafting cutting-edge solutions that transform the landscape of medical treatment. Their work not only addresses complex health challenges but also paves the way for breakthroughs that can revolutionize patient care.
Stéphane Woerly exemplifies this transformative leadership. As the Founding President, Chief Scientific Officer, and Chief Medical Officer of NeuroBioMat, Woerly has dedicated over three decades to revolutionizing hydrogel technology for spinal cord injuries. Hydrogels are cross-linked polymer networks that exhibit the ability to retain large amounts of water while maintaining their 3D structure and can achieve high porosity. His pioneering work has set new standards in the field, making him a key figure in advancing biotechnology and offering groundbreaking solutions to previously intractable medical challenges.
Pioneering Neurorestorative Innovations
Woerly holds an MD from France and a PhD in Neuroscience from Canada, where he spent nearly two decades, Woerly’s professional journey spans Canada, the U.S., the UK, the Czech Republic, and France, reflecting significant contributions in both academic and corporate environments. Woerly is renowned for his work in polymer chemistry and hydrogels, particularly in developing treatments for spinal cord injuries.
His Neurogel Technology, a hydrogel-based scaffold, is designed to support the regeneration of damaged nervous tissue by mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM). In regenerative biology, ECM plays a critical role in regulating tissue repair and shaping organ architecture. This innovation addresses the nervous system’s limited self-repair capabilities compared to other organs, providing a three-dimensional polymer network that facilitates tissue regeneration.
Woerly’s interdisciplinary expertise, combining neuroscience, polymer science, and experimental neurosurgery, has driven novel neurorestorative approaches. His extensive knowledge in hydrogel design, free radical polymerization, and polymer-based medical devices has solidified his status as a trailblazer in the field. His entrepreneurial achievements include leading Organogel Canada Ltd. as a C-level executive for a decade, further establishing his influence in biotechnology.
In his leadership roles at NeuroBioMat, Woerly blends medical expertise with pioneering research in hydrogel technology. His MD and PhD credentials, coupled with hands-on experience in experimental neurosurgery during his training in Canada in experimental neurosurgery, provide him with a profound understanding of the challenges in repairing nervous system injuries.
Since 1986, Woerly has transitioned from working with natural polymers like collagen to synthetic hydrogels due to their inert nature and reduced immune response as well as the possibility of adjusting their physico-chemical properties and adding novel functionalities to the polymer network targeting neuronal biological functions. His fellowship with the Medical Research Council of Canada and studies at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Prague refined his skills in hydrogel design. Upon returning to Canada, Woerly advanced hydrogel systems with improved physical properties and geometry, reinforcing his role as a pioneer in neurorestorative science.
Revolutionizing Spinal Cord Regeneration
Woerly has concentrated on a critical challenge: tuning the physical and chemical properties of hydrogels to match the nervous system’s biology for effective regeneration. His innovative approach focuses on axonal regeneration, angiogenesis, and the recruitment of endogenous stem cells to heal volumetric tissue defects. NeuroBioMat’s hydrogel acts as an extracellular matrix, promoting the self-healing ability of the spinal cord and supporting long-term repair as it enables tissue remodeling. The key challenge is to restore the translesional spinal network and connectivity across the lesion. With extensive preclinical experience, Woerly’s team has developed a hydrogel suitable for human applications, set for its first trials in 2025.
Given its patient-targeted specificity, NeuroBioMat’s technology has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2022.
Woerly’s expertise merges polymer chemistry with nervous system regeneration, providing a unique tissue engineering solution. Unlike temporary relief methods like neurostimulation and exoskeletons, Woerly’s approach aims for permanent regeneration of both motor and sensory systems, as the most promising way to promote functional recovery in people with spinal cord injuries. While only two companies, NeuroBioMat and InVivo Therapeutics, are pursuing this type of solution, NeuroBioMat’s non-degradable hydrogel stands out as a semi-solid system with a dynamic structure that allows it to adapt to cell dynamics during tissue repair. It supports longer-term tissue remodeling, essential for the lengthy spinal cord regeneration process, unlike rapidly absorbed biodegradable hydrogels. NeuroBioMat’s hydrogel exhibits sufficient physicochemical and structural properties to support neuronal tissue regeneration.
Progress in Preclinical Trials
Woerly discussed the progress of NeuroBioMat’s neurorestorative technology. While the first human study is slated for 2025, the success stories to date come from extensive preclinical trials using spinal cord injury models in animals. These trials have involved both transection and compression models, which mimic human spinal cord injuries. Woerly highlighted a series of experiments conducted in Canada and the U.S., where NeuroBioMat’s hydrogel was implanted into the spinal cords of animals.
These experiments, performed in collaboration with academic institutions like UCLA, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Alabama, showed promising results. Using techniques such as immunocytochemistry and behavioral studies, researchers observed significant regeneration of nerve fibers within the hydrogel. Additionally, the trials showed mobilization of endogenous stem cells, microvascularization, and partial recovery of locomotor functions.
Though not 100% recovery was achieved, Woerly emphasized that even a 10% regeneration of motor system axons could lead to significant improvements in patients’ quality of life. The potential to restore minimal motor functions offers hope to individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries, whose lives are often marked by chronic pain and limited mobility.
The success of these preclinical trials, conducted over several years, has laid the foundation for human trials. NeuroBioMat is actively working with the FDA to prepare for the first-in-human study, which represents the next critical step toward bringing this neurorestorative technology to patients. Woerly’s collaboration with leading neurosurgeons and academic institutions has ensured that the research has been rigorously tested and published, and NeuroBioMat remains focused on advancing its technology for human application.
Prioritizing NeuroRestorative Technology
Woerly explains how he prioritizes his research efforts across neurorestorative biotechnology and hydrogel technologies. Woerly emphasized the importance of focusing on technologies with high potential for success. He highlighted a market study conducted in Europe and the U.S., which revealed significant interest from neurosurgeons in NeuroBioMat’s hydrogel technology.
One key factor in the prioritization of this research is the simplicity of the hydrogel application. Neurosurgeons prefer straightforward technologies, particularly in operating rooms where time and ease of use are critical. NeuroBioMat’s hydrogel, designed specifically for spinal cord injuries, offers several attractive properties for surgeons. The gel, known as SPINEREP is bioadhesive, meaning it sticks immediately to neural tissue without the need for sutures. Additionally, it has hemostatic properties, helping to stop microbleeding, a common challenge in spinal cord surgeries, and maintaining a clear operating field. Furthermore, the polymer scaffold has elasticity and mechanical strength properties similar to the neural parenchyma, facilitating its surgical implantation and integration into spinal tissue.
Woerly’s focus on hydrogel technology stems from its ease of use and effectiveness. SPINEREP can be easily cut to fit the lesion cavity and, once applied, stays in place to help reconstitute the anatomical continuity of the spinal cord. While the current focus is on spinal cord injuries, Woerly noted that future research could extend this technology to brain injuries, requiring further study to explore its potential in reconstructing parts of the brain using hydrogel systems.
Future of NeuroRestorative Biotechnology
Woerly envisions significant advancements in neurorestorative biotechnology, particularly in the realm of hydrogel technologies by modifying the chemical structure of polymer networks to give them specific properties or enhance their performance. Thus, he sees the future focusing on chemically attaching growth factors, such as BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), to hydrogels to enhance their biocompatibility/biofunctionality couple within the nervous system. This approach could accelerate tissue regeneration and improve outcomes for patients suffering from neurological injuries.
Additionally, Woerly foresees the potential for combining hydrogels with stem cells to address volumetric tissue defects in the brain. This combination could prepare new tissue that could be transplanted into the brain or spinal cord, further expanding the capabilities of neurorestorative technology. The versatility of hydrogel technology allows it to be enhanced through advancements in polymer chemistry and biology, offering numerous possibilities for future applications.
NeuroBioMat aims to be at the forefront of these developments and stay ahead of cutting-edge technologies in neurorestoration aligned with a robust intellectual property protection. By continually improving its hydrogel systems with biologically active compounds, like growth factors and stem cells, the company is positioning itself as a leader in neurorestoration. Woerly emphasizes that while the potential is vast, preclinical studies will be essential in demonstrating the efficacy of these innovations. He believes this integrative approach will shape the future of neurorestorative biotechnology and open doors for the treatment of both spinal cord and brain injuries.
Key Trends in NeuroRestorative Biotechnology
Woerly highlights the emerging trends in neurorestorative biotechnology, particularly in the field of biomaterials. Woerly emphasized the development of customized biomaterials, such as advanced hydrogels, which are tailored for specific applications in neurorestorative therapies. This includes working closely with polymer chemists to design hydrogels with new physical and chemical properties, such as porous structures and specialized surface areas, which can promote tissue regeneration and healing in the nervous system.
One of the key trends Woerly pointed out is the combination of hydrogels with biologically active compounds like growth factors and new polymers. This innovative approach enables better integration and support for cell regeneration, making hydrogels a vital component in the future of neurorestorative treatments. The ongoing research and development efforts at NeuroBioMat are aimed at advancing these technologies to offer improved solutions for spinal cord and brain repair.
Pioneering Contributions to Biomaterials Research
Woerly has authored over 150 research publications throughout his distinguished career, contributing significantly to the field of biomaterials and neurorestorative technologies. His work, which began in 1986, was groundbreaking, as he was the first to propose the use of biomaterials for brain repair. His visionary approach culminated in a seminal publication in Biomaterials in 1990, outlining the potential of hydrogels in repairing neural tissue.
This pioneering work has engaged a new technology in the field of tissue neuro-engineering and provided insight into how a 3D macromolecular structure that mimics ECM induces self-regeneration of the CNS.
The inspiration for his extensive body of work came from his early studies in animal models and his vision for the future of hydrogel technology in neurorestoration. His research not only opened new avenues for spinal cord and brain repair but also sparked academic interest globally. Today, his work remains highly cited, inspiring a new generation of researchers focused on developing degradable and non-degradable hydrogels for repairing the central nervous system.
Despite facing challenges such as refining the design of hydrogels and ensuring biocompatibility, Woerly’s perseverance and innovation have established him as a pioneer in the field. His contributions continue to influence the trajectory of biomaterials research, with his name firmly embedded in the scientific literature as a leader in neurorestorative biotechnology.
Collaborative Leadership Philosophy
Woerly emphasizes a leadership philosophy centered on collaboration, trust, and open communication. His approach is built on empowering his team by delegating responsibilities and instilling confidence in their abilities. Woerly believes in promoting internal communication, ensuring that all team members, each with their specific expertise, are aligned and can work together seamlessly.
Given the complexity of NeuroBioMat’s projects, which involve polymer chemistry, regulatory issues, manufacturing, sterilization, and packaging, Woerly’s leadership focuses on creating “permeable interfaces” between different departments. By fostering clear and effective communication, he ensures that the diverse competencies within the organization function as a cohesive unit. His leadership style encourages innovation and efficiency, allowing the team to move forward with clarity and shared purpose.
Goals and Vision
Woerly outlines NeuroBioMat’s key goals, focusing initially on first-in-human studies to validate the safety and efficacy of their hydrogel spinal wraps. These studies will assess both the technology and the associated neurosurgical procedures, aiming to improve clinical outcomes for spinal cord injury patients using scales like ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association).
NeuroBioMat aims to lead the spinal cord repair field, standing out among competitors in neurostimulation technologies, exoskeletons, stem cell therapies, and pharmacological treatments. The company’s long-term vision is to pioneer advanced solutions that significantly enhance recovery for individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Key Advice
Woerly offers crucial advice for those venturing into biotech. He underscores the necessity of having disruptive technology supported by strong patents, as demonstrated by NeuroBioMat’s global patent. Ensuring there is a market for the product and assembling a robust, multidisciplinary team are also vital. Forming strategic partnerships and navigating the complex regulatory landscape are essential for success.
For scientists moving from academia to business, Woerly emphasizes the need to adapt, highlighting that running a company involves far more than just scientific research. Entrepreneurs must be ready to tackle regulatory and operational challenges, stepping beyond the familiar academic environment into the demanding corporate world. Also, be aware that it will be a long and very laborious journey so have a spirit of success.
