AMELIE

AMELIE (Anchored Muscle cells for Incontinence) is an innovative collaborative research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.

AMELIE is developing a regenerative therapy using a patient’s own muscle cells to repair damaged or weakened sphincter muscle.

These cells are attached to biodegradable microcarriers, which:

support cell survival
encourage tissue regeneration
improve the delivery of the therapy to the affected area

By harnessing the body’s natural ability to repair itself, AMELIE aims to offer a long-lasting, minimally invasive treatment for faecal incontinence.

The technology also has potential applications in other muscle injuries and conditions beyond bowel health.

AMELIE brings together 13 partner organisations from nine countries, combining expertise from academia, healthcare, industry, and research to develop new treatments for people living with faecal incontinence.

The project is coordinated by University College London (UCL) and led by Professor Richard Day, Professor of Regenerative Medicine Technology at UCL.

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Partnerships

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Our Research

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Can cell therapy restore muscle function?

Faecal incontinence is a serious public health problem, affecting over 67 million people in Europe. AMELIE is primarily concerned with the effect of injury to the anal sphincter by childbirth, surgery or trauma. Many such patients are unsuitable for current surgical options. Our research aims to provide a new form of regenerative treatment, as explained in this short video.

Our Partners

The AMELIE consortium is made up of 13 partners from across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands. The organisations involved include universities, hospitals, research institutes, consultancy groups and charities. The project is coordinated by University College London, with individual work packages led by different partner organisations.

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Our Research

The AMELIE project brings together a highly interdisciplinary consortium of experts to develop a novel regenerative intervention using autologous skeletal muscle-derived cells to restore sphincter muscle function. In this approach, autologous skeletal muscle-derived cells are attached to implantable microcarriers to enhance cell delivery and engraftment in patients with faecal incontinence.

The therapy will be evaluated in a randomised clinical trial. It is anticipated that this strategy will improve cell viability, increase the likelihood of muscle regeneration, and ultimately contribute to improved continence outcomes.

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Get Involved

Stakeholder and public involvement is essential to the success of AMELIE. Public involvement is essential to the success of AMELIE. There will be opportunities to help shape the research, take part in focus groups and surveys, read materials and assist in patient recruitment to clinical trials.

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