More about Astroglial Innovations

Astroglial Innovations is a purpose-built medical company developing technology for neuroregeneration of the damaged spinal cord. By offering a therapeutic solution for reconstruction of completely severed spinal cord based on advanced tissue engineering product Gliomatrix™, we are dedicated to translate scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for patients, striving to improve and restore motor and sensory functions, reduce pain, and enhance the overall condition and quality of life for those in need.

Our therapy is based on the unique properties of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) which allow them to interact with host spinal cord astrocytes, leading to opening of the astrocytic barrier and allowing for central axon elongation. OECs and olfactory nerve fibroblasts (ONFs) can attract and guide the regrowing axons to their target neuronal populations. This unique neurotrophic activity of OECs, the miracle cells from the central nervous system, has been described in hundreds of scientific papers in the last four decades.

Astroglial Innovations’ team plans to develop the therapeutic solution in the form of ATMP-HE under Polish legislation and, subsequently, register it as an ATMP product through the central procedure at EMA. AGI intends to offer this therapeutic ATMP-HE method commercially, continuing the cooperation with the current cell processing facility, and ultimately carrying out up to a dozen therapeutic procedures a year.

visit Gliomatrix™ subsite

Team

We believe that building the right team is crucial for our success. Astroglial Innovations’ multidisciplinary team is led by founders with a strong scientific, business, and legal background.

Neurosurgeon, scientist and inventor. A graduate of the Wroclaw Medical University (2000) obtained PhD degree in 2007, consultant in neurosurgery since 2009. Professor Tabakow’s clinical and scientific work is focused on methods of stimulation of the regeneration in the spinal cord with use of human olfactory ensheathing cells as well as neuromodulation methods. He is also involved in studies on the possibility to treat malignant gliomas using immunotherapy. He is also performs innovative surgical procedures in patients with epilepsy and psychiatric diseases. 

Paweł Tabakow

Founder, Medical Director

Scientist, neurologist and expert in cell biology, with particular interest in cells of the nervous system. His scientific work concerns the use of non-invasive neuromodulation methods in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, with particular emphasis on spinal cord injuries. In clinical practice, Wojciech promotes the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring as a method to increase the safety and effectiveness of neurosurgical procedures.

Wojciech Fortuna

Founder, Scientific Director

More than 10 years of experience in the biotech industry, both as a researcher and as a top-level manager (operations). Marta graduated from Biotechnology at the University of Wroclaw, then continued her education with postgraduate Master of Business Administration (MBA) studies. Highly experienced in building and transforming organizations, securing EU funds, seeking financing for investment offers, shaping communication and marketing strategy, and managing human resources.

Marta Wawrzyniak

Founder, Managing Director

Scientist, inventor, and manager, with education and experience in the process of discovering and developing new drugs. Przemysław graduated in biotechnology from the University of Wroclaw and obtained his PhD and MBA while working for a mid-size Polish biotech. Later on, he moved into business development, gaining experience in building new areas for cooperation with partners and clients, brokering assets, and securing strategic partnerships and external financing — both from public sources and from private and institutional investors. 

Przemysław Jurek

Founder, Business Development Director

Tomasz Olejnik graduated with a master’s degree in law from the Faculty of Law at the University of Wroclaw in 1996, an attorney since 2001. Tomasz runs his firm specialising in business, corporate, and pharmaceutical law. 2017-2021 was a deputy disciplinary ombudsperson at the Wroclaw Bar Association. For over ten years, Tomaasz have been teaching business and corporate law. He is the deputy head of training for applicant attorneys and a member of the State Examination Commission, which conducts bar examinations. A permanent mediator at the Supreme Bar Council. 

Tomasz Olejnik

Founder, Medical Legal Advisor

Piotr Hanaj is a legal counsel, insolvency officer, economist and lawyer specializing in corporate finances. He specializes in legal services and management control of business entities, as well as in investment processes and mergers of capital companies. Piotr graduated law at the University of Wroclaw and economy at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business. Since several years he lectures on business and insolvency law. 

Piotr Hanaj

Founder, Corporate Legal Advisor

Neurosurgeon, scientist and inventor. A graduate of the Wroclaw Medical University (2000) obtained PhD degree in 2007, consultant in neurosurgery since 2009. Professor Tabakow’s clinical and scientific work is focused on methods of stimulation of the regeneration in the spinal cord with use of human olfactory ensheathing cells as well as neuromodulation methods. He is also involved in studies on the possibility to treat malignant gliomas using immunotherapy. He is also performs innovative surgical procedures in patients with epilepsy and psychiatric diseases. 

Paweł Tabakow

Founder, Medical Director

Scientist, neurologist and expert in cell biology, with particular interest in cells of the nervous system. His scientific work concerns the use of non-invasive neuromodulation methods in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, with particular emphasis on spinal cord injuries. In clinical practice, Wojciech promotes the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring as a method to increase the safety and effectiveness of neurosurgical procedures.

Wojciech Fortuna

Founder, Scientific Director

Associate Professor, working at UCL Institute of Neurology. Dr Daqing Li has medical education and extensive research experience in electrophysiology, cell biology and molecular biology. Dr Daqing Li has been working with Professor Ying Li, Professor Geffrey Raisman as a team that developed the therapeutic prospect of transplantation of the olfactory ensheathing cells to cure brain and spinal cord injuries. His major role is to investigate optimal and consistent production of the cells to be transplanted. The team has been collabarating with Professor Pawel Tabakow and his team endeavouring to treat more spinal cord injury patients. 

Daqing Li

Professor of Neuroscience, working at UCL Institute of Neurology, UK. Professor Li is a renowned research scientist in the field of repairing spinal cord injuries by cell transplantation in experimental models. Professor Li, Professor Geoffrey Raisman, and Dr Daqing Li have been working as a team for over two decades, and have demonstrated that transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells could restore lost functions like movement and sensation controls. The team has been working with Professor Pawel Tabakow and trying to treat more spinal cord injury patients by cell transplantation. 

Ying Li

History

1978-1985
BACKGROUND DISCOVERIES

First description of the neurogenesis of the olfactory epithelium (Graziadei) and the unique neurotrophic properties of OECs (G.Raisman)

1978-1985
1988
BACKGROUND DISCOVERIES

Groundbreaking experiments with use of bulbar rat OECs transplants, performed on the model of spinal cord injury in rats- groups of Geoffrey Raisman/Ying Li, Daqing Li (UK) and Almudena Ramon-Cueto (Spain).

1988
2002-2007
PROF. TABAKOW AND DR. FORTUNA RESEARCH

First cultures of human OECs in Poland (dr W.Fortuna/dr R. Miedzybrodzki). Doctoral thesis of Pawel Tabakow describing an originalminimally invasive method for obtaining of olfactory mucosa and bulb from cadaver donors for OEC culture

2002-2007
2009-2011
PROF. TABAKOW AND DR. FORTUNA RESEARCH

Laboratory work on OECs by joint teams in Poland and UK proves the ability to culture OECs ex vivo to allow a transplant. First transplantation surgeries in paraplegic patients with use of cultured mucosal OECs

2009-2011
2012-2014
WROCLAW WALK AGAIN PROJECT’S ERA

Thanks to the spinal cord reconstruction surgery with use of transplants of bulbar OECs and nerve grafts, performed by the team of prof. Pawel Tabakow and with subsequent funding of the reahabilitation by the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, the first patient in the world with a complete spinal cord transection – Mr. Darek Fidyka – recovers sensory and motor functions postoperatively.

2012-2014
2016
WROCLAW WALK AGAIN PROJECT’S ERA

Wroclaw Walk Again project and clinical trials (NCT03933072) initiated, funded by the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation (NSIF)

2016
2017-2022
WROCLAW WALK AGAIN PROJECT’S ERA

New developments in human OECs culture evaluated and optimized in the laboratories of Wroclaw Medical University, Immunology Institute in Wroclaw, and University College London – establishment of an updated method for OEC culture, transplant preparation; in vivo validation the neurotrophic properties of human bulbar3D collagen explants (Ying Li/ Daqing Li/Wojciech Fortuna /Pawel Tabakow)

2017-2022
2023
ESTABLISHMENT OF ASTROGLIAL INNOVATIONS

stroglial Innovations established in 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland to facilitate opening the new OECs transplant method to the patients

2023

Powerful scientific network, and strategic Europe-centered location

Through strategic collaborations with leading experts and institutions in the field, specifically with UK-research entities and foundations, we build a bridge to create a brighter future for patients suffering from neurological and spinal conditions. Collaboration with medical professionals, certified manufacturers, research institutions, and regulatory bodies is vital to ensure that our technology and medical procedure meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

Astroglial Innovations operates in Wrocław, which is a vibrant city located in southwestern Poland, and has a rich and complex history that spans over a thousand years. The city’s international character, with people from various backgrounds, facilitates international business relations.

Wrocław’s central location in Europe provides excellent access to major European markets. It’s well-connected by road, rail, and air, making it a strategic hub for international business operations. The city has a growing startup ecosystem with various support programs, incubators, and accelerators to help startups thrive. It’s a great place for networking and seeking investment opportunities. Wroclaw’s history is a tapestry of resilience, cultural exchange, and transformation. It has emerged from a turbulent past to become a thriving European city, embracing its heritage while looking toward the future with optimism and growth. Embracing the history of the city, we are inspired to strive for change and success.