WideCells is a new and innovative stem cell technology and regenerative medicine company. It was founded by the CEO João Andrade and the CFO Lopes Gil. Dr Peter Hollands later joined as CSO bringing experience from other UK and international stem cell banks, clinical transplantation, teaching and research.
The first operations for WideCells were in Portugal, following on to the acquisition of the Spanish company Nacersalud to begin operations in Spain.
The continued success of operations in Portugal and Spain has led to the development of our state of the art clean room laboratory in the University of Manchester Innovation Centre (UMIC). The clean room laboratory is already licensed to the highest standards (MHRA, HFEA and HTA) and we have started the HTA license application to process and store umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue in the clean room laboratory. Once established we will apply to the HTA to process and store dental pulp and adipose tissue. WideCells will be creating 25 new jobs in the next 3 years. Our stem cell storage area in UMIC can grow to a capacity of 1 million different stem cell samples.
A research team from The University of Manchester led by Prof Sue Kimber will use one of our clean room laboratories for embryonic stem cell research.
WideCells aims to expand activity into the EMEAA region in the next 5 years and we expect our sales to be above £25 million during this period.
WideCells has an artificial bone product called OssGRAFT. This has applications in both dental and orthopaedic procedures. In addition WideCells is developing a product which is a mixture of OssGRAFT and mesenchymal stem cells for optimized results in cases of severe bone degeneration or damage. This product will be brought to market in the next few years.
We have also developed a section of WideCells called WideACADEMY. This is in collaboration with academics at the University of Westminster, London and provides online courses on a wide range of stem cell related subjects (different types of stem cells and applications). This online program aims to inform Health Care Professionals worldwide about the benefits of stem cell technology and regenerative medicine.
Finally, WideCells is developing an innovative product which will revolutionize the way in which stem cell technology is used in routine treatment and in clinical trials worldwide. This product is currently under strict confidentiality prior to launch. The product should be launched during the course of 2015 and will positively affect almost all stem cell companies, from routine cord blood banks to research teams to clinical trials.
In summary, the WideCells business model is revenue driven and will generate multiple revenue streams that will allow us to continuously redevelop processes and products. We aim to use a large part of our profits in research and development programs to develop stem cell based therapies.
Author: BioInformant thanks guest author, João Andrade, CEO of WideCells, for this post.