After nearly three decades of research, Brazilian scientists have developed polylaminin — a stabilized form of a natural human protein that acts as a scaffold for nerve regeneration. ANVISA has approved Phase 1 clinical trials, and early results, including a tetraplegic woman regaining arm movement within days, have been described as unprecedented.
In what may become one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 21st century, researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) have developed polylaminin — a stabilized form of laminin, a natural protein found in the human placenta. The discovery, led by Professor Tatiana Sampaio, began almost by accident nearly 30 years ago when a colleague purchased laminin for an experiment but never used it. Sampaio began experimenting with the protein and eventually found a way to stabilize it, unlocking its remarkable potential for nerve regeneration.
Polylaminin works as a biological scaffold: when applied directly to an injured spinal cord during surgery, it provides a supportive structure that allows nerve cells to rebuild their broken axons — the long fibers that transmit signals throughout the nervous system. The substance is extracted from placentas donated by hospitals in São Paulo, making it both a natural and renewable resource. In laboratory and preliminary human studies, the results have been nothing short of extraordinary.
“The discovery, led by Professor Tatiana Sampaio, began almost by accident nearly 30 years ago when a colleague purchased laminin for an experiment but never used it.”
In January 2026, Brazil's health regulatory agency ANVISA approved Phase 1 clinical trials for polylaminin, a historic milestone. The pharmaceutical company Cristália will select five volunteers between the ages of 18 and 72 who have suffered complete spinal cord injuries within the previous 72 hours. A preliminary study involving eight patients had already shown that some recovered significant movement — results described by the scientific community as unprecedented.
One of the most compelling cases is that of Flávia Bueno, a 35-year-old nutritionist from São Paulo who became tetraplegic after a diving accident in early January 2026. After a court order authorized the application of polylaminin at Hospital Albert Einstein on January 23rd, Flávia regained movement in her right arm within just three days — a result that stunned her medical team and gave hope to millions of people living with spinal cord injuries worldwide.
While polylaminin still needs to complete Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials — a process that may take several years — the Brazilian government is already in talks with the Ministry of Health about potentially offering the treatment through SUS, Brazil's universal public healthcare system. If the trials continue to show positive results, polylaminin could transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world who are currently living with paralysis. It is a testament to the power of persistent, curiosity-driven science — and a proud achievement for Brazilian research.
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