Highlights:
- Platelet BioGenesis has the world’s first technology to generate clinical-grade human platelets from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
- Platelet BioGenesis has been awarded $56 Million Contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop donor-independent platelets as a treatment for radiological and nuclear exposure.
Who is Platelet BioGenesis (PBG)?
Founded in 2014 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Platelet BioGenesis is a biotechnology company that has developed the world’s first technology capable of producing human platelets (PLTs+™) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
For the first time in history, the process would make platelet donation donor-independent.
The company was spun out of Harvard University in 2014. Since that time, it has received venture funding from Qiming Venture Partners USA, Ziff Capital Partners and other investors and obtained grant funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Platelet BioGenesis has made its mark by launching only technology platform that can generate human platelets at scale by using human iPSCs as the source material. iPSCs are differentiated cells that are reprogrammed back into an embryonic-like state. Derived from skin or blood cells, they are not controversial, because they are made from adult cells.
The company is also developing genetically engineered platelet-based therapeutics, a new treatment approach that might have applications for treating for cancer and other life-threatening conditions. PBG’s platelet production platform is both patented and cGMP-compliant.
Platelet BioGenesis’ $56M Contract from BARDA
On September 30, 2019, Platelet BioGenesis’ was awarded a $56 million contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The goal of the funding is to support PBG’s establishment of a donor-independent treatment approach that could be used in the event of a chemical, biological, or radiological disaster. Because BARDA has extensive experience with assessing and developing blood-based therapies, this large contract shows clear support for PBG’s novel iPSC-derived human platelet (PLTs+™) technology.
As stated in Platelet BioGenesis’ recent press release, “BARDA, with its extensive experience working with organizations focused on blood-related therapies, has evaluated PBG’s technology platform and determined that donor-independent platelets could be a critical medical countermeasure in case of a national threat.”
To learn more, view the full announcement here.
