Spinal Cord Injury: Lab-Grown Protein Restores Movement

In a stunning development offering hope to those with spinal cord injuries, a groundbreaking treatment developed in Brazil is showing remarkable results. The therapy, known as polilaminina, is a lab-created version of a naturally occurring human protein and functions as a “biological scaffold” applied directly to the injured area of the spinal cord, stimulating nerve reconnection.

Preliminary tests involving eight patients diagnosed with paraplegia and tetraplegia revealed significant improvements in movement for six participants. In one particularly inspiring case, a patient who had been paralyzed from the shoulders down regained the ability to walk independently.

The development of polilaminina, spearheaded by biochemist Tatiana Coelho de Sampaio of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), represents 25 years of dedicated research. Sampaio’s work centers on laminin, a protein found in human placentas, and its potential to promote nerve regeneration. The treatment has entered Phase 1 clinical trials in January, and is being produced in partnership with the Cristália pharmaceutical laboratory.

This breakthrough arrives as the medical community continues to explore innovative solutions for spinal cord injuries, a condition affecting over 15 million people worldwide. The promising early results are already generating excitement within the scientific community and offering a beacon of hope for patients and their families. The news underscores Brazil’s growing role in cutting-edge medical innovation.