Polylaminin emerges as one of the greatest promises of recent Brazilian science for people suffering from severe spinal cord injuries that cause paraplegia or tetraplegia after accidents such as falls, traffic collisions, diving, or other injuries
Developed over nearly 30 years by Professor Tatiana Coelho de Sampaio, a biologist and researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the substance is a modified and more potent version of laminin, a natural protein present in the human placenta that aids in the organization and regeneration of nerve tissue during embryonic development and repair processes.
Polylaminin is applied directly to the spinal cord, preferably as soon as possible after the trauma – ideally within the first 72 hours – stimulating mature neurons to recover their growth capacity.
It promotes the formation of new axons, the extensions that transmit nerve impulses, helping to restore connections interrupted by the injury.
Produced from placentas donated by healthy women and manufactured on a large scale by the Cristália laboratory, a research partner, the drug is 100% Brazilian and represents a milestone in biotechnological innovation in the country.
In initial experimental tests, conducted on animals and in experimental or compassionate use applications in humans, the results were impressive: many dogs and rats with severe injuries regained the ability to walk, and human patients reported significant improvements, such as partial or total return of movement, sensitivity in previously anesthetized areas, and recovery of basic functions.
Notable cases include young people who, after serious accidents, regained movement in their fingers, sensitivity in their legs, or even the ability to walk with intensive rehabilitation.
One example is that of a quadriplegic patient after a collision in 2018, who regained mobility and now practices sports.
In January 2026, Anvisa authorized phase 1 of the official clinical studies, a crucial step in evaluating the safety of the substance.
The study involves five volunteers aged between 18 and 72 years with complete acute injuries (occurring less than 72 hours prior, requiring surgery), to whom polylaminin was applied during the surgical procedure.
This approval, announced by the Ministry of Health and the regulatory agency, paves the way for subsequent phases that will test its effectiveness in a larger number of patients.
Despite the excitement – “”with the researcher being invited to a Senate hearing and receiving public praise – experts warn of the need for caution.
Polylaminin is still experimental and is not approved for widespread use.
Some applications by court order (compassionate use) have occurred outside of rigorous protocols, and recent reports mention deaths of critically ill patients, attributed to complications such as pneumonia, septicemia, and pulmonary embolism, without any proven link to the drug, according to Cristália and the UFRJ team.
These cases reinforce the need for controlled monitoring and comprehensive scientific studies.
If the next phases confirm its safety and efficacy, polylaminin could revolutionize the treatment of spinal cord injuries, offering real hope for the recovery of movement and improved quality of life for thousands of people in Brazil and around the world.
It is an inspiring example of national scientific persistence, led by a researcher dedicated for decades, who transforms a discovery “by chance” into something with transformative potential.
Published in 02/13/2026 19h58
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption. Information about DOI, author and institution can be found in the body of the article.
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