ReNeuron Group plc (AIM: RENE.L) and the Cell Therapy Catapult, which is focused on the development of the UK cell therapy industry to increase the nation’s health and wealth, are pleased to announce they have signed an agreement to work together on new cell therapy manufacturing technologies and assays. The Cell Therapy Catapult is a centre of excellence for regenerative medicine established in 2012 to stimulate innovation in this area.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2014 and will focus on ReNeuron’s lead CTX stem cell line. This cell line is used in ReNeuron’s ReN001 therapy for stroke (currently in Phase I clinical development), and in its ReN009 therapy for critical limb ischaemia, shortly to enter clinical development.
The collaboration will focus on the development and optimisation of the processes required to scale up manufacture of the CTXcell line, including rapid cell culture techniques, cryopreservation methodologies and the development of protocols for automated manufacturing processes. ReNeuron and the Cell Therapy Catapult will also work on improved potency assays for the CTX cells, based on the characteristics of the cells and their potential mechanisms of action. The Catapult will contribute £1.3 million into the collaboration, to be provided in the form of expert knowledge, plus state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment and services, while ReNeuron will also provide facilities, staff and relevant expertise.
As ReNeuron is one of the leading UK cell therapy companies, we are delighted that it is our first corporate partner in this collaborative R&D deal. This collaboration will enable us to expand our capabilities and expertise, as well as helping ReNeuron advance development of its pipeline, and so fits well with our focus on growing the UK cell therapy sector.
Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult,
Michael Hunt, CEO of ReNeuron, said: “We are delighted to be the first UK cell therapy business to work with the Cell Therapy Catapult. The collaboration will enable us to accelerate the manufacturing development of our lead CTX stem cell therapy candidate as well as tapping into the growing infrastructure, expertise and services that the Cell Therapy Catapult offers.”
Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said: “As ReNeuron is one of the leading UK cell therapy companies, we are delighted that it is our first corporate partner in this collaborative R&D deal. This collaboration will enable us to expand our capabilities and expertise, as well as helping ReNeuron advance development of its pipeline, and so fits well with our focus on growing the UK cell therapy sector.”