The Cell Therapy Catapult, which is focused on the development of the UK cell therapy industry to increase the nation’s health and wealth, is pleased to announce that it is supporting Smith & Nephew, the global medical technology business, to help develop an innovative cell therapy product.
HP-802, currently in Phase III trials in the U.S. and Europe, is an allogeneic cryopreserved suspension of keratinocytes and fibroblasts which is sprayed directly on to wounds to facilitate healing. The Cell Therapy Catapult will help Smith & Nephew meet regulatory requirements for late-stage clinical development and market approval.
Rob Bancroft, President of Smith & Nephew Biotherapeutics, said: ‘We are committed to researching and developing innovative new technologies that reduce the human and economic cost of wounds. The availability of more effective treatment strategies for intractable wounds provides tremendous benefits to both patients and society. We are pleased to collaborate with the Cell Therapy Catapult on the process development of this exciting new product.’
Smith & Nephew offers innovative treatments targeting chronic wounds associated with the older population, such as pressure sores, diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers, for which there is high unmet medical need. It also provides products for the treatment of acute wounds that impact the wider population, such as those from burns and invasive surgery. Wound management is a complex process, meaning chronic and acute lesions can be difficult to treat successfully, and innovative solutions are necessary.
The Cell Therapy Catapult, which was established by the UK Government in 2012, is a centre of excellence for the translation of cell therapies into commercially viable propositions. With £70m of funding over five years, it has more than 70 staff with expertise across clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing scale-up, supply chain and business issues such as reimbursement and market access.
Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said, ‘Smith & Nephew is a recognised leader in wound management, and we are delighted to be using our expertise in the development of this innovative cell therapy. Working with the company to bring the product closer to the market and patients is fully aligned with our aim of increasing health and wealth in the UK, and helping build its cell therapy industry.’