University of Pittsburgh Announces Patents Issued in August 2022

Pitt Innovators were issued 10 patents in August 2022.

Featured patent: 11,406,736 “Vascular Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel”

Extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds are tissue-specific biomaterials with inherent bioactivity and native structural features that enable their use as three-dimensional in vitro cell culture substrates for biologic discovery of cellular mechanisms or as disease models. Certain decellularized tissues also show promise for therapeutic tissue regeneration in a variety of applications as they retain proteins that enhance cellular adhesion and invoke signaling to influence cellular differentiation and regenerative potential. Pitt innovators led by Julie Phillippi, associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery and bioengineering, have developed ECM compositions useful as in vitro cell culture substrates or in vivo biomaterials for tissue repair in cardiovascular applications. This invention embodies a method wherein decellularized ECMs from blood vessels (e.g. porcine or human aorta adventitia in one aspect) are formulated into hydrogels that can be used as substrates for in vitro cell culture and in vivo tissue regeneration.

For more information on this technology, including licensing inquiries, contact Alex Ducruet at aducruet@innovation.pitt.edu.

Below is a listing of all patents issued to Pitt innovators in August 2022.