Meet the project that is developing a groundbreaking regenerative medicine therapy to treat diseases of the conjunctiva. They are part of the first batch of Proof-of-Concept projects that joined the Biotech Booster program after the round of applications in 2024! Read their full press release below.
New cell therapy for eye diseases receives €1.9M from Biotech Booster
Maastricht, the Netherlands, September 1st, 2025
A groundbreaking regenerative medicine therapy to treat diseases of the conjunctiva — the thin, transparent layer that covers the white of the eye — has been awarded €1.9 M in funding from the National Growth Fund through Biotech Booster. The treatment uses a small sample of the patient’s own tissue to cultivate healthy conjunctival cells in the lab. These cells are then transplanted back onto the eye as a living layer, repairing damage without the need for traditional tissue grafts. This innovative approach addresses key challenges in current treatments, including pain, scarring and limited donor tissue availability.
The project builds on recent advances in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. To generate transplantable sheets of functional cells, the team grows “organoids”, which are miniaturised, simplified versions of the conjunctiva. These living sheets contain all the essential components needed to repair and restore the surface of the eye. Preclinical studies have already shown that this approach can effectively repair conjunctival damage.
“With Biotech Booster’s funding, our team will carry out critical steps to initiate a clinical trial for this therapy, says Vanessa LaPointe, project lead. “This includes process optimisation, safety validation, and regulatory readiness”.
The support of Biotech Booster enables a major step toward delivering a new therapy for conjunctival diseases and brings this promising innovation closer to real-world clinical use. If successful, this therapy could offer a first-of-its-kind solution for patients with conjunctival diseases, opening new possibilities for personalised regenerative eye care.
About the team
This project is a collaboration between leading research groups at Maastricht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, and the Hubrecht Institute, with support from the Oncode Institute. It is led by Dr. Vanessa LaPointe and Dr. Mor Dickman, who are jointly developing regenerative therapies for a range of corneal and ocular surface diseases. Read more about the project here.
Email: press@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Website: Maastricht University
About Biotech Booster
Biotech Booster is a Dutch national program to stimulate commercialization of biotechnology research from academia and small industry. The program offers mentorship, financial support and networking opportunities, to guide founders from the idea stage to developing an investable and commercial proposition.
Email: communications@biotechbooster.nl
Website: www.biotechbooster.nl.
