Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models are a valuable resource for studying disease mechanisms in vitro at the cellular level[1], screening potential new therapeutics[2], and investigating the propensity and mechanism for the development of toxic side effects caused by a drug treatment[3]. Such iPSC-based models enable research to be performed under defined experimental conditions and in a reproducible manner. [Read more…]
Celgene to Pay Evotec $9 Million as Companies Expand iPSC Collaboration
Hamburg, Germany, June 5, 2019 — Evotec SE announced that its strategic alliance with Celgene Corporation (“Celgene”) has been expanded to include a new cell type triggering a payment of $9.0 m to Evotec.
Evotec and Celgene initiated the collaboration in December 2016 to identify disease-modifying treatments for a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases. Since then, the companies have achieved several milestones including advancement of one programme into lead optimisation as well as including additional cell lines and now a new cell type. [Read more…]
FUJIFILM CDI: A New Behemoth is Entering the Cell Therapy CDMO Market
A new behemoth is entering the cell therapy CDMO market, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (FUJIFILM CDI). CDMOs are companies that provide manufacturing services to cell and gene therapy companies on a contract basis. In some cases, they may also support product development, clinical trial support, or commercial supply.
FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc. (FCDI), a US subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, will be spending $21M to open a new cGMP-compliant production facility in Madison, Wisconsin. According to FCDI’s January 2019 announcement, the facility will support FCDI’s internal cell therapeutics pipeline, as well as serve as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for iPS cell products. [Read more…]
Cynata Completes Phase I Trial for CYP-001, Triggers Option Window for Fujifilm
It is official. Australian stem cell company Cynata Therapeutics has completed the world’s first Phase I trial involving an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived therapeutic product. The landmark study involved the company’s lead product, CYP-001, an iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) product that can be manufactured at therapeutic grade and at mass scale using Cynata’s Cymerus™ platform technology.
Next, the company will be initiating Phase II trials in graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), critical limb ischemia (CLI) and osteoarthritis, showcasing the power of Cynata’s platform technology to be leveraged across multiple indications. Osteoarthritis will be Cynata’s largest clinical trial to date and also one of the largest ever for an MSC product. [Read more…]
iPS Cells | Everything You Need To Know
Heard about iPS cells, but don’t know exactly what they are and what they can do? Read on to find out more.
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