Cell Therapy Catapult Signs Multiple Collaboration Agreements

New programmes aim to accelerate regenerative medicine

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Cell Therapy Catapult has announced four separate collaborations with multiple-partners to deliver health and wealth to the UK through support from Innovate UK, formerly the Technology Strategy Board.

The agreement with Plasticell is a further investment in a therapeutic programme utilising CombiCult®, the high throughput stem cell technology designed to solve bottlenecks in regenerative medicine development. The consortium also includes the University of Oxford. This will allow the group to develop a process to expand cord blood stem cells ex vivo using Plasticell’s media, allowing more patients to be treated with potentially life-saving therapies.

Based in Cambridge, TAP Biosystems, which is part of Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group, is developing with the Cell Therapy Catapult, a small scale, single-use bioreactor that can be applied to cell therapy applications and to liaise with regulatory agencies on the levels of validation required for the system to be adopted into Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities. Achieving this will reduce cell therapy development cost and time and accelerate delivery of novel cell therapies to patients.

And in a third deal, Azellon Ltd, will develop an improved product and manufacturing process suitable for commercialisation for its cell bandage for repair of torn meniscus. Other members of the consortium include the University of Liverpool and NHS Blood and Transplant.

As previously announced, Athersys Limited (an affiliate of Athersys, Inc.) (Nasdaq: ATHX) will support a Phase 2a clinical study evaluating the administration of MultiStem® cell therapy to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. ARDS is a serious immunological and inflammatory condition characterised by widespread inflammation in the lungs. The deal will provide support over the course of the study, which will be conducted by Athersys Limited at leading clinical sites in the UK in conjunction with the Cell Therapy Catapult.

Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said: "As part of four independent research and development collaborative awards to a total value of £6.3 million, we are pleased to be playing a pivotal role in delivering these programmes which have the potential to accelerate the growth of the cell therapy industry to generate health and wealth.”

--ENDS—

Notes to Editors

About the Cell Therapy Catapult The Cell Therapy Catapult is a centre of translational excellence for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Its vision is for the UK to be a global leader in the development, delivery and commercialisation of cell therapy, making it a location for business start-up and growth. Based in London at Guy's Hospital, the centre takes products into early clinical trials, providing clinical, technical, manufacturing, regulatory, health economics and market access expertise. There is a focus on collaboration and lowering barriers to investment and funding, and operations have grown rapidly since inception. UK Trade & Investment has valued the global regenerative medicine industry at just over £500 million, and estimates that it will be generating revenues of over £5 billion by 2021. For more information go to ct.catapult.org.uk

About Catapults Catapult centres are being established and overseen by Innovate UK as a new addition to its range of programmes to stimulate innovation. They are places where the best of the UK’s innovative businesses and researchers work together to bring new products and services more quickly to commercialisation. Focusing on areas with great market potential, Catapults will open up global opportunities for the UK and generate economic growth for the future. For more information, please visit www.catapult.org.uk

About Innovate UK Innovate UK is the new name for the Technology Strategy Board – the UK’s innovation agency. Taking a new idea to market is a challenge. Innovate UK funds, supports and connects innovative businesses through a unique mix of people and programmes to accelerate sustainable economic growth. For further information visit www.innovateuk.org

Cell Therapy Catapult
David Robertson, Head of Communications
+44 (0) 203 728 9675
[email protected]
[email protected]
@CTCatapult

Source: Cell Therapy Catapult

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