Universal Cells Archives

Astellas Acquires Stem Cell Company Universal Cells for $102.5 Million

February 14, 2018 By Cade Hildreth (CEO)

Acquisition enables Astellas to fully utilize proprietary technology to produce pluripotent stem cells that have the potential to lower immunological rejection in numerous therapeutic areas

TOKYO, Feb. 13, 2018 — Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, “Astellas”) and Universal Cells, Inc. (CEO: Claudia Mitchell, “Universal Cells”) today announced that Astellas has acquired Universal Cells. Astellas will gain Universal Cells’ proprietary Universal Donor Cell technology to create cell therapy products that do not require Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching, potentially overcoming a huge treatment challenge by reducing the risk of rejection.

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Astellas and Universal Cells Collaborate to Utilize Universal Donor Cell Technology

October 19, 2017 By Cade Hildreth (CEO)

Oct. 19, 2017 — Astellas Pharma Inc. and Universal Cells, Inc. announced that Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (“AIRM”) and Universal Cells have entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement to research, develop and commercialize a novel cell therapy for an undisclosed indication. The collaboration will utilize Universal Cells’ Universal Donor Cell technology to create cell therapy products that can be administered to any recipient without the need for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching.

“I am pleased to enter into this collaboration with Universal Cells for a novel cell therapy using their proprietary Universal Donor Cell technology based on gene editing by rAAV (recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus) and cell engineering of pluripotent stem cells,” said Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Ph.D., president of AIRM. “This is definitely an important step forward in developing a potential new option as an innovative cell therapy to treat devastating diseases with high unmet medical needs.”

While the research will be conducted jointly by AIRM and Universal Cells, Astellas will lead and fully fund the development program and will obtain worldwide rights for commercialization. In consideration for the collaboration and grant of rights, under the terms of the agreement, Universal Cells is eligible to receive up to $9 million in a combination of an upfront payment and research milestones. Universal Cells is also eligible to receive research funding and further clinical development and regulatory milestone payments of up to $115 million, as well as royalties.
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Stem Cell Thought-Leaders (and What You Can Learn From Them)

June 13, 2016 By Cade Hildreth (CEO)

Without question, some of BioInformant’s most popular content has been our interviews with key opinion leaders (KOL). Highlighted below are five interviews that have been widely shared across the stem cell industry.

The first interview with Dr. Sadiq has gotten more than 2,200 shares on social media, so you definitely need to check it out. Enjoy!

Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Treatment of MS – Q&A with Dr. Sadiq of the Tisch MS Research Center of NY

In breaking news from the Tisch MS Research Center of New York, Dr. Sadiq announced he is pursuing a Phase II clinical trial exploring the use of stem cells in the treatment of MS. The announcement followed positive results from a FDA-approved Phase I stem cell trial in which MS patients received multiple spinal injections of neural progenitors derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (called MSC-NPs). Compellingly, it was the first time ever that a treatment method has demonstrated reversal of established disability in MS patients. [Read more…]

Major Announcements in Stem Cell Sector – Cynata, Gamida Cell, Pluristem, Universal Cells, and More

April 14, 2016 By Cade Hildreth (CEO)

Suffice it to say, it has been a banner week in the world of stem cells. In this rapidly-changing market environment, it can be difficult to keep up with current events. To help you out, we’ve released new content on stem cell markets that we are excited to share with you. Let me know what you think! [Read more…]

Universal Cells and HEALIOS K.K. Partner to Produce Universal Donor iPSCs

April 6, 2016 By Cade Hildreth (CEO)

Based in Seattle, Washington, Universal Cells Inc. is a revolutionary therapeutic genome editing company that uses nuclease-free technology to develop “off-the-shelf” stem cell products that are universally compatible. While an early-stage company, this novel approach to stem cell engineering has the potential completely alter stem cell therapeutics.

In major news released today, Universal Cells announced that it has entered into an agreement with HEALIOS K.K. in Japan, the world’s leading company producing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) therapeutics. Together, Universal Cells and Healios will create universal donor iPSCs by editing the genes required for antigen presentation.

A Trend Toward Partnership with Japanese Giants

Universal Cells’ alignnment with HEALIOS K.K. is one of many partnerships between stem cell start-ups and large pharma in Japan.

A large number of these partnerships have been facilitated by the Japanese government passing the “Act on the Safety on Regenerative Medicine” and making revisions to the “Pharmaceutical and Medical device Act” in late 2014. These legislative acts have positioned Japan as a “gateway” country for rapid development of cell and gene therapies.

Other recent examples of such partnerships include:

Mesoblast with JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. – December 3, 2015
Pluristem with Sosei CVC – December 20, 2016
Athersys with Healios – January 8, 2016
TiGenix with Takeda – July 5, 2016
Cynata Therapeutics with FUJIFILM Corporation – September 5 2016
Steminent with ReproCELL – November 22, 2016
Regeneus with AGC Asahi Glass – December 29, 2016

Universal Cell’s Partnershi with HEALIOS K.K.

As stated in the press release released by Universal Cells:

“Universal Cells Inc. (Seattle WA, USA) and HEALIOS K.K. (“Healios”) (Tokyo, Japan) have entered into a collaborative research and exclusive option agreement to create therapeutic off-the-shelf iPSCs. The partnership will focus on the production of Universal Donor iPSCs by editing the genes required for antigen presentation.

“Partnering with the world’s leading company in iPSC therapeutics, and the leading nation for accelerated regulatory approval for regenerative medicine products is a significant step towards bringing universal donor cells into the clinic”, commented Dr. Mitchell, CEO of Universal Cells.

Universal Cells’ technology is based on discoveries by Dr. David Russell, the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Universal Cells, and a world-renowned leader in gene editing. Universal Cells has licensed patents on recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV)-mediated gene editing, and HLA engineering.”