Matricelf, an Israeli biotechnology company developing regenerative therapies, has signed a strategic agreement with Sheba Medical Center to advance toward a first-in-human clinical trial for spinal cord injury treatment.
Under the agreement, the company will begin manufacturing at a cleanroom facility within Sheba’s Advanced Biotherapy Center (ABC), while also working with the hospital to prepare for the clinical phase of the trial.
The planned trial will be conducted at Sheba in collaboration with its spinal surgery department, headed by Prof. Ran Harel, and its neurological rehabilitation department, led by Dr. Moshe Bondi.
Matricelf is developing an innovative treatment for paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries using autologous implants — engineered neural tissue derived from the patient’s own cells.
The company said consolidating all stages of the clinical process at a single leading medical center — from patient recruitment and manufacturing to implantation and rehabilitation — is expected to improve operational efficiency and marks a key step toward launching human trials.
Dr. Alon Sinai, founder and president of Matricelf Photo: MatricelfIn August 2025, Matricelf reported positive preliminary results from a comprehensive safety trial in animals using its engineered neural tissue. Additional results are expected as part of the process toward demonstrating feasibility in human trials.
Dr. Alon Sinai, founder and president of Matricelf, described the agreement as a significant milestone in advancing the company’s technology and aligning with Sheba’s innovation strategy under its director general, Prof. Yitzhak Kreiss.
Gil Hakim, Matricelf CEO Photo: MatricelfCEO Gil Hakim said the collaboration represents a major step in preparing for the first clinical trial in humans, noting that the integration of advanced manufacturing, surgical expertise and rehabilitation capabilities in one location provides a strong foundation for the program.
Prof. Dror Haratz, head of Sheba’s Research Authority and chair of its Helsinki Committee, said the initiative reflects the hospital’s broader mission in rehabilitating wounded soldiers and advancing the boundaries of medical capability. He said the collaboration uses patients’ own stem cells in an effort to repair spinal cord injuries, with the potential to significantly impact trauma patients, including wounded Israeli soldiers.
Matricelf is a research and development company focused on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, developing autologous neural tissue implants for spinal cord injuries. The company’s technology may also have broader applications in treating brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.
Sheba Medical Center, located in Tel Hashomer, is Israel’s largest hospital and among the world’s leading medical centers. It combines clinical care, research and academic activity, and is known for its advanced rehabilitation hospital and extensive innovation infrastructure.