Astellas signs stem cell partnership in liver disease
pharmafile | December 8, 2010 | News story | Research and Development | Astellas, Cytori, Stem cells, liver disease, regenerative medicine
Astellas has teamed up with Cytori Therapeutics to develop a range of new stem cell treatments for liver disease and other serious illnesses where there is an unmet medical need.
Astellas will make an equity investment worth $10 million to the US biotech, in the process gaining a two-year right of first refusal on a worldwide R&D and/or commercialisation partnership.
This would primarily focus on using Cytori’s technologies in the treatment of liver disease, but the companies plan to explore a collaboration for an “advanced regenerative drug technology” as well.
The deal will also see Astellas gain a non-voting observer seat on Cytori’s board of directors and the partners will participate in a new scientific advisory board, formed to help them share ideas.
Regenerative medicine is an emerging field that focuses on repairing or restoring tissue function that’s been lost or damaged due to the effects of injury, disease or aging.
US biotech Cytori provides medical technologies that employ the potential of adult stem and regenerative cells from adipose cells, a form of connective tissue packed with masses of fat cells.
Cytori currently markets the StemSource product line for cell banking and research applications, which is sold globally.
Stem cell research is still at an early stage but many within the pharma industry are forecasting it to be an area that will see considerable growth.
2010 was something of a milestone for stem cell trials and in November, the first patient was enrolled in a groundbreaking phase I clinical trial in a bid to develop a new therapy for stroke patients using stem cells from UK, Guildford-based ReNeuron Group.
Ben Adams
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