Steer Bio Targets Lymphedema with Regenerative Cell Therapy Platform

Can regenerative medicine restore lymphatic function after cancer treatment?

Lymphedema affects an estimated 10 million people in the US, many of whom develop the chronic condition following cancer surgery and radiation that disrupt the lymphatic system. Despite its prevalence, treatment has largely focused on symptom management rather than repairing the damaged lymphatic network. Steer Bio is developing ELIXIR (Eliminating Lymphatic Irregularities by Cross-disciplinary Intelligent Regulation), an injectable cell-based regenerative therapy intended to rebuild damaged lymphatic vessels. The approach uses engineered retinal pigment epithelial cells encapsulated in a hydrogel and controlled through programmable genetic circuits. In the following interview, Martha Fowler, founder of Steer Bio, discusses the science behind the company’s platform, along with its development strategy, and long-term vision for regenerative medicine.

Pharmaceutical Executive: Can you begin by introducing Steer Bio and its mission?

MF: Steer Bio is a Rice University spinout based on research from Dr. Omid Veiseh's laboratory. I completed my PhD there, and that's where this technology originated. Being part of the Texas Medical Center allows us to work closely with clinicians at institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop therapies for significant unmet medical needs.

Our lead program is focused on lymphedema. We've developed a living therapy that produces regenerative molecules designed to repair damaged lymphatic vessels. While most people are familiar with the circulatory system, the lymphatic system is equally important because it removes waste from tissues and plays a central role in immune function.

PE: Why has lymphedema remained such an underserved disease area?

MF: Approximately 75% of patients with lymphedema develop the condition after lymph node removal as part of cancer treatment. Once those lymphatic pathways are disrupted, fluid can no longer drain properly and begins to accumulate.

This affects many breast, gynecologic, and head and neck cancer survivors, yet the standard of care remains compression garments and physical therapy. These approaches manage symptoms but do not repair the underlying damage.

We often describe it as a plumbing problem. There really isn't an internal therapy today that restores the lymphatic system.

PE: Your goal is restoration rather than symptom management. What gives you confidence that this can translate clinically?

MF: We've generated encouraging preclinical data using animal models that closely mimic human lymphedema. Even after lymph node removal and radiation, our hydrogel implant regenerated functional lymphatic vessels that connected to healthy lymph nodes and restored waste clearance.

The treatment is delivered through a minimally invasive subcutaneous injection directly at the site of injury.

PE: Steer Bio recently received ARPA-H funding. What positioned the company to secure that award?

MF: The Texas innovation community played a major role. We benefit from the close proximity of Rice University, MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist, and the broader Texas Medical Center.

In addition, the Rice Biotech Launch Pad brings experienced biotechnology leaders together with academic innovators to accelerate commercialization. ARPA-H focuses on technologies capable of creating meaningful patient impact, and Texas has built an environment that supports discovery, translation, clinical development, and commercialization.

PE: Your technology combines biomaterials, synthetic biology, and cell therapy. Which aspect presents the greatest development challenge?

MF: Because we're developing a combination product, there are certainly regulatory considerations. However, the cell source we're using has already been through the FDA review process as part of an approved therapy, which provides an important foundation.

Another advantage is manufacturability. We've demonstrated that the product can be cryopreserved, eliminating the need to manufacture a fresh product for every patient.

PE: Do you see Steer Bio becoming a lymphedema company or a broader regenerative medicine platform?

MF: Lymphedema is our first indication, but the platform extends beyond that. Our technology provides localized, programmable regeneration, allowing us to guide tissue repair precisely where it's needed.

Over time, we see opportunities across lymphatic biology and potentially other diseases involving localized tissue damage where restoring normal function is the therapeutic goal.

PE: Looking ahead, what would success look like for Steer Bio?

MF: The biggest milestone isn't a financing event or even a clinical milestone. It's patient impact.

We've worked closely with advocacy groups from the beginning, and these patients often spend decades wearing compression sleeves while living with recurrent infections and reduced quality of life.

We like to talk about giving patients the "right to bare arms" again, restoring function and allowing them to live without the constant reminder of their disease.

PE: Where does the company stand from a financing perspective?

MF: We've been supported entirely through non-dilutive funding to date, including our ARPA-H award, which is expected to carry us into first-in-human clinical studies. We're currently developing our capital strategy as we move toward the clinic.