MAIC proudly funds world-first clinical trial for treating spinal cord injuries

The Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) is proudly funding a world-first clinical trial for treating spinal cord injuries.

The new trial has Griffith University on the cusp of developing a treatment that may allow the repair of damage to the spinal cord, allowing participants to regain function following their injury.

This innovative approach involves harvesting cells from the patient’s own nose, purifying them, and preparing them into specialised nerve bridges for transplantation into the spinal cord. Post transplantation, participants will then commence a rehabilitation program.

Professor James St John, Head of Griffith’s Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, explains that these are called ‘olfactory ensheathing cells’, and the olfactory nerves within the nose (responsible for sense of smell) have numerous therapeutic properties for repairing and regenerating nerves.

Insurance Commissioner Neil Singleton said road trauma was a leading cause of spinal cord injuries.

“We are thrilled to be the major funder of this project since 2017, which is the legacy of the late Professor Emeritus Alan Mackay-Sim AM,” Mr Singleton said.

With 20,000 Australians currently living with and more than 300 people affected each year, the impact of this trial has the potential to significantly change lives for those with acquired spinal cord injuries.

Stay tuned for more updates on this revolutionary research as it is realised with a Phase I human clinical trial commencing to test the efficacy and safety of this combined transplantation and rehabilitation approach.