Revolutionizing Spinal Cord Injury Treatment: Insights from a World-First Clinical Trial Conducted in Gold Coast, Australia

The Australian medical research community continues to push the boundaries of innovation, rapidly translating cutting-edge therapies from the lab to patients with the support of a well-established clinical trials sector.

In this exclusive webinar, Accelagen will describe what it takes to progress new medical therapies to the clinic in Australia, introducing its partners from Griffith University who are leading a groundbreaking clinical trial for spinal cord injury treatment as a case study.

Join the session to learn how a novel cell therapy technology is advancing with the support of Australia’s world-class regulatory framework and research infrastructure. Discover how Accelagen, a leading Australian CRO, is playing a crucial role in guiding and accelerating this transformative therapy from discovery to human trials—offering new hope for patients worldwide. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into a potential game-changer in spinal cord injury treatment and to understand the experience and leadership required to take the innovative approach into trials.

A Revolutionary Approach to SCI Treatment

Spinal cord injuries have long been among the most challenging medical conditions to treat, often resulting in permanent disability. This Phase I clinical trial explores the use of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs)—specialised cells from the nose known for their nerve repair properties – to stimulate repair and bring hope of recovery to patients. By harvesting and reintroducing these cells into the injury site, researchers aim to bridge damaged nerve tissues, stimulate regeneration, and restore lost functions, such as mobility and sensation.

Webinar Highlights

Exclusive Insights from Leading Experts

• Learn directly from Professor James St John, the lead researcher at Griffith University, about the years of discovery research leading to this trial
• Hear from Accelagen’s clinical trial specialists on the unique challenges and strategies involved in bringing this novel therapy to patients

Understanding the Clinical Trial Process

• Gain an overview of how this innovative study is being conducted
• Learn about the regulatory, ethical, and logistical considerations in running a world-first cell therapy trial and the advantages of running trials in Australia

The Future of SCI Treatment

• Explore how this research could revolutionise not just SCI treatment, but also other neurodegenerative conditions
• Find out what’s next in the journey toward making this therapy widely available

Register for this webinar today to understand how a pioneering clinical trial in spinal cord injury treatment led by top Australian researchers.

Speakers

Greg Plunkett, CEO and Managing Director, Accelagen

Greg Plunkett is the CEO and Managing Director of Accelagen, founding the company in 2010. He is an innovative, values-driven and forward-thinking senior regulatory affairs professional. Greg has over 20 years of experience in product development, quality and management. Driving excellence, innovation and ingenuity, he is a passionate advocate for healthcare accessibility and bringing the best technologies and innovation to the masses.

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Dr. James St John, PhD, Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University

Prof James St John is Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research. Prof. James is a translational neuroscientist specialising in the creation and delivery of therapies to repair injuries and diseases of the nervous system. He has a particular interest in understanding the biology of the olfactory system (sense of smell) and the therapeutic use of glial cells to repair the nervous system.

The three main areas of research are (1) spinal cord injury, (2) peripheral nerve injury and (3) the role of microbes in neurodegeneration. The major project of the Centre is the translation of a cell transplantation therapy to repair spinal cord injury. This therapy is now progressing to a clinical trial that will commence in late 2024 in Queensland, Australia.

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The community co-designed therapy uses transplantation of olfactory glial cells within three-dimensional nerve bridges to repair the injury site of chronic spinal cord injury. When combined with intensive, long-term rehabilitation it is anticipated that the therapy will commence the restoration of motor, sensory and autonomic function. The trial is designed to identify the types of chronic spinal cord injuries that respond to the treatment.

Since the commencement of the Centre, Prof St John has been Lead Investigator on more than $35 million of research projects funded by philanthropy, state and federal government including NHMRC and MRFF funding. Prof St John obtained his PhD in 1996 in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne. He then applied his expertise in carbohydrate synthesis and manipulation to determining the role of carbohydrates in the development and regeneration of the mammalian brain.

He held positions as an NHMRC post-doctoral fellow at the University of Melbourne and University of Queensland, and has been Chief Investigator of NHMRC and ARC grants at the University of Queensland and Griffith University. In 2007, he took up the position of Group Leader at the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery at Griffith University and in May 2016 he became Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research.

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Dr. Andrew Rayfield, Research Fellow and Research Commercialisation Manager for the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research (CJCNSCR), Griffith University

Dr. Andrew Rayfield is a Research Fellow and Research Commercialisation Manager for the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research (CJCNSCR). Andrew spends his time at the CJCNSCR labs in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Andrew is a molecular and cellular neuroscientist by training with six years’ experience in industry and nearly twenty years experience in academia. Andrew’s role as Research Commercialisation Manager for the Centre is to develop and translate the Centre’s three main areas of preclinical research (developing a therapy for spinal cord injury; developing a therapy for peripheral nerve injury and identifying the causes of and developing diagnostics for neurodegeneration) into clinical products.

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As part of the Spinal Injury Project, Andrew is working closely with members of the Centre and external stakeholders to propel the Centre’s pre-clinical research towards a Phase I cell and rehabilitation clinical trial, set to commence in 2024 (GUSIP03). The Centre’s goal is to complete the clinical phases of development and produce a therapy product for spinal cord injury, available to all around the world. Andrew has previously managed the Centre as Research Manager (2017-2023) where he managed HDR students, budgets, publication output, grants and funding, ethics, clinical trial development, quality control, marketing and design, external stakeholder management and social media.

Andrew previously helped run the GUSIP01 and the GUSIP02 feasibility clinical trials where Griffith was the sponsor. The aim of these trials were to test the feasibility of an intensive exercise-based rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients. In addition to management roles in the Centre, Andrew has a keen interest in the cellular biology of glia, has developed skills in qualitative research to help assess the barriers and facilitators of intensive exercise rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients and has an interest in implementation science.

Andrew’s main focus, however, is in research commercialisation and entrepreneurship. Since 2020, Andrew has been a member of the Griffith Pride Committee and commenced as Co-Chair in 2022 and as Chair in 2024. Andrew believes it is important to be true to yourself in all aspects of your life, including bringing your true self to the workplace. Something a lot of people in the world still cannot or are unable to do.

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