Lymphatics Medicines for Female Health

Lymphedema is a painful condition affecting millions of women worldwide, often caused by surgical treatment of breast and gynecologic cancers, or a biological predisposition. While no medicines are currently available to address lymphatic disease, we are combining a bioengineered human lymphatic-on-chip platform, lymphatic cell biology, and drug development expertise in an interdisciplinary effort to transform treatment. By building experimental models of lymphatic dysfunction in women, we can develop therapeutic compounds to improve lymphatic function in these models and establish the first medicines to treat lymphedema. Establishing this pipeline to lymphatic medicines will transform the landscape of lymphatic disease for women. Cost effective treatment will dramatically increase access to care, and act as a driver for better diagnostic tools to identify women in need.