- inSoma Bio develops advanced biomaterials to improve outcomes in fat grafting and soft tissue repair.
- Led by Dr. Stefan Roberts and Dr. Ashutosh Chilkoti, the team combines clinical expertise with pioneering biomedical research.
- With early funding and support from Duke Capital Partners, inSoma Bio is progressing towards clinical application and commercialization.
When it comes to advancing medical technology, few companies have stirred the waters as much as inSoma Bio.
This North Carolina-based biotech firm, a Duke University spinout, is reinventing the field of fat grafting.
By leveraging advanced biomaterial technology, inSoma aims to elevate the standard of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, providing patients with longer-lasting, reliable results.
Behind this vision are founders Stefan Roberts, Ashutosh Chilkoti, and Scott Hollenbeck, whose work is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in regenerative medicine.
“If you want to pinpoint the origin of inSoma, it was an afternoon where I decided to fluorescently label my proteins and look at them under a microscope,” Roberts says.
“That was kind of an ‘Aha!’ moment: these are creating something totally unique to synthetic polymers – this microstructure is very reminiscent of actual elastin networks.”
The Problem with Traditional Fat Grafting
Fat grafting—transplanting fat from one part of the body to another—has been used for years to restore volume lost through aging, trauma, or surgery.
Despite its popularity, the technique has significant limitations, primarily due to unpredictable resorption rates.
Many patients experience the disappointment of variable outcomes, with fat deposits often shrinking or being reabsorbed by the body over time. This leads to inconsistent results and, frequently, additional procedures.
inSoma Bio’s founders saw this challenge as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Working closely with Duke’s research community, they developed a biomaterial platform aimed at increasing the stability and durability of fat grafts, providing patients with results that last.
Game-Changing Technology from Duke’s Labs
inSoma’s proprietary solution is built on a protein-polymer matrix, a carefully engineered structure designed to encapsulate fat cells and encourage their long-term integration within the body.
Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on transferring fat cells, inSoma’s technology enhances cellular survival and attachment, allowing fat grafts to blend seamlessly with the host tissue.
The result? More stable, predictable outcomes that offer an edge over conventional methods in both aesthetic and reconstructive applications.
“At the end of the day, we have a unique material that is injectable, helps support new tissue growth, and supports natural blood vessel growth,” Roberts says.
“This is an enormously useful platform that can have an impact in a number of different areas of soft tissue engineering, whether it’s recreating skin, healing wounds, filling in defects, or even certain aesthetic applications for synthetic elastin.”
Strong Backing and Strategic Expertise
As a biotech startup, inSoma Bio has received consistent support to bring its vision to life, securing significant funding that has enabled early research and clinical advancements.
In 2020, the company raised $200,000 in funding, with additional targets in subsequent years that have paved the way for clinical trials, drawing investor confidence and expanding its reach in the medical field.
The inSoma team includes regulatory and industry experts like Thalia Charles, who is crucial in navigating the complex path to regulatory approval, while high-profile advisors such as Dr. John Canady bring in decades of clinical experience in plastic surgery.
Building a Future of Reliable Reconstructive Medicine
As inSoma Bio advances toward clinical trials, it continues to build a reputation as a forward-thinking innovator in regenerative medicine.
This breakthrough approach, aimed at enhancing the longevity of fat grafts, represents a new era for patients and surgeons alike.
No longer constrained by inconsistent results, fat grafting could soon be a more predictable option for patients seeking both aesthetic enhancements and reconstructive solutions after trauma or surgery.
Edited By Annette George
