All living cells require energy. Energy is key to the survival of all living cells, and cells use oxygen as a catalyst to create their own energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). When the supply of oxygen becomes compromised, such as when organs are removed for transplant, the cells -— the living tissue -— may be irreparably damaged.

Bridge To Life has licensed (see delete) patented fusogenic liposomal ATP technology to directly infuse cells with energy. Specially engineered vesicles containing ATP are made to fuse with the cell membrane, quickly and efficiently and in a controlled mechanism thereby transferring the energy contained in ATP. This allows cells to maintain their function and viability, even in the absence of oxygen. The result of maintaining adequate intra-cellular levels of ATP is superior organ preservation, tissue growth, and healing.

Initial animal data has shown that liposomal ATP, when combined with UW Solution at the time of use, is a powerful application of the FL-ATP technology, that addresses many concerns observed during organ procurement and transplantation. This combination:

  • Provides critically needed energy at the cellular level during cold storage.
  • Aids metabolic processes critical to reducing the level of non-esterified fatty acids. These fatty acids can cause reduced liver viability, and reducing them may increase the available liver donor pool.
  • Increases the conversion of donated-not-used to donated-AND-used organs.
  • Provides longer preservation time

Bridge to Life’s FL-ATP technology show promise for possible advances in the areas of coronary artery bypass grafts, retinal transplants, islet cell transplantation, and hair transplant, as well as other potential cosmetic surgery applications.

For a technical discussion, with images of this topic, please click to link to Liposomal Formulation Technical Discussion