Extracellular Vesicle Therapeutics for Regenerative Medicine (ExTReMe)

The National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) seeks to advance its mission by advancing research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their use as therapeutics in the field of regenerative medicine. The main objective of this program, Extracellular Vesicle Therapeutics for Regenerative Medicine (ExTReMe), is to support the translation of EV-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine. EVs, like exosomes and microvesicles, are crucial mediators of intercellular communication, carrying diverse cargo like proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. In regenerative medicine, EVs play a significant role by influencing cellular behaviors during tissue repair and regeneration. Due to their natural function in intercellular communication, EVs represent a novel, cell-free, therapeutic tool. EVs can be further engineered to deliver therapeutic agents or modulate signaling pathways involved in repair/regeneration. Areas of interest for ExTReMe could include, but are not limited to: • direct EV therapy (stem cell-isolated EVs produced under GLP conditions, and stored as off-the-shelf therapies); • designer EVs (personalized to the individual patient’s needs). Grant authorities that allow the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) to forecast this opportunity are as follows: 42 U.S. Code § 287a - Cures Acceleration Network

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives and (7) the availability of funds.