June, 2026

As the research team at Griffith University advances the groundbreaking Nerve Bridge Transplantation and Rehabilitation human clinical trial, transparency with our community, participants, and supporters remains our highest priority. We are providing this briefing to directly address the current timeline, milestones, and ongoing funding.

Why has the trial timeline shifted?

After years of dedicated laboratory research and preclinical success, the Griffith University human clinical trial has officially commenced. The team is currently in the final stages of optimising the advanced cell manufacturing protocols.

Because this trial involves highly specialised, patient-specific cellular therapy, manufacturing optimisation is a crucial safety gate. We share in the frustration that naturally comes with timeline adjustments, but this is world-first, pioneering research. Getting it right is the absolute priority, and the research team cannot compromise on the rigorous safety benchmarks required before these cells are introduced to human participants.

We deeply appreciate your continued patience and trust as the research team navigates these final, meticulous preparation steps.

When Will the First Two Patients Be Enrolled in the Trial?

To maximise both the safety and long-term effectiveness of the therapy, the research team has recently implemented further enhancements to the cell cultivation and quality-control processes.

While these improvements have pushed back our original schedule, the Griffith team is committed to doing this correctly. In this pioneering work, we are not following an established path—we are creating it. Every optimisation the research team makes now brings us closer to a meaningful, successful outcome.

The entire team is working diligently to move the trial forward as efficiently as possible while maintaining the highest international scientific standards. We anticipate that the first two patients will be enrolled in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026 (pending any further delays). Their journey will follow a structured, three-phase protocol:

1. Prehabilitation (Prehab): Intensive physical preparation to optimize baseline function.
2. Surgery: The transplantation of the specialised nerve bridge.
3. Rehabilitation (Rehab): A comprehensive, long-term post-operative physical therapy program to support neural regeneration.

Why Are We Seeking More Funding if the Trial Has Commenced?

A common misconception in clinical development is that commencing a trial means the entire multi-year program is fully funded. In reality, launching a trial simply means we have secured the minimum capital threshold required for phase 1.

True medical breakthroughs require continuity. By raising funds now, the research team can concurrently analyse early trial data and prepare for larger, multicentre Phase II trials, drastically shortening the time it takes to make this therapy widely available to the public.

The Griffith University research team welcomes any further questions.