Blog | BioInformant

Minerva Biotechnologies, Interview with CEO Dr. Cynthia Bamdad

June 4, 2019 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President 1 Comment

Minerva Biotechnologies is a regenerative medicine company specializing in stem cell therapeutics that is developing cancer immunotherapies to target 75% of solid tumors and to prevent cancer metastasis. I had the honor of interviewing Cynthia Bamdad, PhD, CEO of Minerva Biotechnologies.

In this interview, we discuss Minerva’s technology platform, product portfolio, IP strategy, and strategic goals. We also explore the significance of the company’s AlphaSTEM™ Culture System that is a simple method for inducing the naïve state in human stem cells. Enjoy. [Read more…]

ExCellThera enters into a manufacturing and collaboration agreement with New York Blood Center

June 4, 2019 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

MONTREAL, MAY 7, 2019 – ExCellThera Inc., an advanced clinical stage biotechnology company delivering molecules and bioengineering solutions to expand stem and immune cells for therapeutic use, announced today that it has entered into a manufacturing and collaboration agreement with Comprehensive Cell Solutions (CCS), a division of New York Blood Center (NYBC) for the clinical grade production of ExCellThera’s lead cell therapy product, ECT-001. [Read more…]

ElevateBio to Create a Portfolio of Innovative Cell and Gene Therapy Companies

May 26, 2019 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

– ElevateBio to leverage its fully integrated, company building bench-to-bedside capabilities exclusively focused on cell and gene therapies

– ElevateBio’s BaseCamp, an R&D, process development and cGMP manufacturing subsidiary, provides cell and gene expertise for all ElevateBio portfolio companies and selected strategic partners

– $150 MM Series A financing co-led by UBS Oncology Impact Fund Managed by MPM Capital and F2 Ventures joined by EcoR1 Capital, Redmile Group, and Samsara BioCapital

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — ElevateBio, a Cambridge-based biotechnology holding company, today announced operations to create and build a broad portfolio of cell and gene therapy companies through partnerships with leading academic researchers, medical centers and entrepreneurs. [Read more…]

Famicord, Europe’s Largest Cord Blood Bank, and India’s CelluGen, Sign Letter of Intent

May 6, 2019 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

FamiCord Group, the largest cord blood bank in Europe, and CelluGen Biotech, a biotech company headquartered in Gurgaon, India, have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to cooperate across a range of business activities. Dated April 25, 2019, the specifics of the LOI state that the companies will pursue cooperation within the “field of family cord blood banking of stem cells and the use of stem cells in experimental and standard therapies.” The companies may jointly develop ATMPs and drugs. [Read more…]

ExCellThera’s Cell Expansion Technology, ECT-001, Receives FDA RMAT Designation

April 29, 2019 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

MONTREAL, April 23, 2019 — ExCellThera Inc., an advanced clinical stage biotechnology company delivering molecules and bioengineering solutions to expand stem and immune cells for therapeutic use, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) designation to its lead technology, ECT-001, in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. The RMAT designation is based on strong data from Phase I/II clinical trials using ECT-001 to expand stem and immune cells for the treatment of blood cancers. [Read more…]