Research suggests that the possibilities of using stem cells for tissue repair and cosmetic enhancement are essentially endless.
However, according to UC Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine alumnus and CEO of Wayfinder startup Sayenza Biosciences Derek Banyard, M.D., M.B.A., MS, harvesting stem cells has proven to be a challenge.
Back when the only reasonable source for adult stem cells was bone marrow, stem cell harvesting was a painful process that yielded little output. But the discovery of adipose-derived stem cells — stem cells from human fat — presented a newer, more efficient means of stem cell harvesting.
Today, Banyard and his team are developing an even faster, fully automated way of gathering stem cells for cosmetic and, eventually, regenerative purposes.
Banyard founded Sayenza Biosciences in November of last year. He discovered the potential innovation for his startup while researching adipose-derived stem cells at the Center for Tissue Engineering at UCI. Banyard reverse engineered a harvesting technique that allows clinicians to use stem cells immediately after extraction, as opposed to waiting after the typical chemical processing and waiting period allotted for the cells to grow. Banyard then worked with his team to develop a technology that automates this procedure, yielding the stem cells in the form of a syringe injection in a matter of minutes.
Although Banyard recognizes the potential of his company’s technology to perform reparative medical procedures like heart regeneration, Sayenza Biosciences is currently focused on cosmetic solutions, such as eliminating wrinkles or creating the appearance of fuller cheeks.
“The potential is there for all these kinds of applications, but the concrete evidence for its use is certainly in aesthetics,” said Banyard.
Although it may be a couple of years before Sayenza Biosciences goes to market, Banyard’s company has found support in UCI Beall Applied Innovation’s entrepreneurial resources. Banyard said that the Wayfinder program’s entrepreneurial boot camp and the Innovation Advisors he connected with through the program helped Sayenza Biosciences develop its brand, go-to-market strategy and continues to provide insight as they develop their minimum viable product.
Sayenza Biosciences recently received a $5,000 Startup Launch Grant from Applied Innovation’s new Startup Launch Program. It also received $15,000 for placing third out of about 100 contestants in the MedTech Color pitch competition for black and Latinx entrepreneurs. This victory allowed Sayenza Biosciences to move to the second round of MedTech Innovator, a global competition for companies developing new medical devices as well as digital health and diagnostic services.
With the support Sayenza Biosciences has received thus far, Banyard hopes to develop and perfect his company’s technology so it can offer stem cell injections for cosmetic solutions by 2024.
Learn more about the Wayfinder program and the Startup Launch Grant.
Main Graphic: Kate Wokowsky, UCI Beall Applied Innovation