TWB-103 is a live allogenic cell product that aims to facilitate wound healing. Being a pre-made cell product suitable for long-term storage, TWB-103 is ready for use “off-the-shelf” that meets the needs of usually urgent and severe situations of various wounds. TWB-103 is composed of a vial of frozen cells and a vial of hydrogel as the cell carrier.

The primary content of TWB-103 is “Human Fetal Fibroblasts”. Transwell has exclusively licensed-in the cell bank from University of Lausanne/Elanix Inc. to develop cell products for use in skin disorders and wound management. With fetal origin, the cells possess higher capability for cell replication and potentially lower immunogenicity compared with cells from post-birth sources. Being well differentiated, the cells also have low tumorgenicity.

The carrier is a critical constituent of cell products. It needs to address the characteristics of the specific cell type and the in vivo environment upon clinical application. The carrier also determines the dosage form of the cell product. In the dosage form of TWB-103, thawed cells are mixed with hydrogel prior to clinical administration. The cells are well-sustained in this dosage form and easily applied topically on wound sites. In addition to hydrogel, Transwell is concurrently investigating and designing new carrier to broaden the application of the cell product.

Inflammation occurs soon after wounding, which enables clearing of tissue debris and microorganisms. This is followed by proliferation and migration of various cells in the vicinity of the wound in order to fill the wound gap. In the final stage, the primitively healed wound undergoes tissue remodeling to approach normal function. The fibroblasts in TWB-103 actively interact with keratinocytes (the cells in epidermis) and promote the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. Cells in TWB-103 secret a number of growth factors and cytokines which are similar to those secreted by mesenchymal stem cells. Those factors may play additional roles in immune-modulation and vascularization. Through hydrogel, TWB-103 also provides moisture to the wound which soothes pain and benefits wound healing.