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PD is marked by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons. Credit: Myibean/Shutterstock. SmartCella has secured exclusive rights to advance research into cell replacement therapies for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The agreement with Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology professor Johan Ericson could propel the research into clinical development and commercialisation. SmartCella CEO Niklas Prager stated: “The agreement with Johan Ericson is an important addition to our project pipeline within regenerative medicine. Johan’s research around dopamine-producing neurons shows a clear improvement compared to existing methods. “By combining Johan’s protocol, which has better results and efficacy, with our GMP [good manufacturing practice] manufacturing and process development capabilities we will have an advantage in bridging the gap between labs and clinics.” Along with Dr Zjanna Alekseenko of the Karolinska Institutet, Ericson developed a new pluripotent stem cell-based technology that significantly enhances the yield of therapeutic mesencephalic dopamine (mDA) neurons post-transplantation. The technology also minimises the presence of undesired and potentially harmful cells, leading to transplants enriched for mDA neurons. These neurons exhibit the hallmark characteristics of gold-standard endogenous neurons. Preclinical transplantation studies revealed that grafted cell preparations showed therapeutic performance, indicating a best-in-class potential for the cell product. Ericson stated: “The pre-clinical results we have so far are truly encouraging and we are confident that our translational approach holds great promise for the establishment of a competitive and therapeutically high-effective cell product to treat Parkinson’s disease in the future. “We have also adapted the cell manufacturing process into a scaleable format with xeno-free materials, and with the process development, scale-up capabilities and knowledge of SmartCella, we will be able to accelerate the path towards clinical studies in humans.” PD, which affects ten million individuals across the globe, is marked by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons. Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva . Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content. Free Whitepaper Cell and gene therapies: Pipe dream to pipeline The cell and gene industry is gaining momentum, with a new wave of therapies promising to transform the way doctors treat, and even cure, disease. In this report, Cytiva and GlobalData have collaborated to explore the rise of the cell and gene therapy industries, the current state of the market, present and future opportunities for advancement, and the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you. You will receive an email shortly. Please check your inbox to download the Whitepaper. By Cytiva Thematic By downloading this Whitepaper, you acknowledge that GlobalData may share your information with Cytiva Thematic and that your personal data will be used as described in their Privacy Policy

The partnership between Roche and Poseida began in 2022, focusing on the development of off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies. Credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock. Roche has signed an agreement to acquire Poseida Therapeutics in a $1.5bn deal. The transaction includes Poseida’s clinical and pre-clinical CAR-T therapies and manufacturing capabilities. The acquisition will also integrate Poseida’s employees into Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division. Roche will begin a tender offer to acquire complete outstanding Poseida common stock shares for $9 per share in cash at closing, along with a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR) for potential milestone payments of up to an aggregate of $4 per share in cash. This represents almost $1bn in total equity value at closing. The merger agreement has received unanimous approval from the boards of both Roche and Poseida. Following the tender offer, Roche will acquire all remaining shares at the same price through a second-step merger. The transaction will conclude in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of a majority of Poseida’s outstanding shares. Roche chief medical officer and Product Development head Levi Garraway stated: “This exciting acquisition will allow us to drive further progress in allogeneic cell therapy while leveraging the successful existing partnership with Poseida. “We are very encouraged by the early clinical data, and this acquisition builds on our joint progress to catalyse the development of potentially first and best-in-class cell therapies in oncology, immunology and neurology.” The partnership between Roche and Poseida began in 2022, focusing on the development of off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies. Roche is set to gain access to Poseida’s good manufacturing practices (GMP) manufacturing capabilities and a suite of research and development assets, including P-MUC1C-ALLO1, an allogeneic CAR-T programme in Phase I for solid tumours, and various genomic medicine pre-clinical candidates. Citi is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Roche, with Sidley Austin providing legal counsel. Poseida is advised by Centerview Partners, with Cooley acting as legal counsel. In September 2022, Roche signed an agreement for the acquisition of Good Therapeutics. Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva . Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content. Free Whitepaper Cell and gene therapies: Pipe dream to pipeline The cell and gene industry is gaining momentum, with a new wave of therapies promising to transform the way doctors treat, and even cure, disease. In this report, Cytiva and GlobalData have collaborated to explore the rise of the cell and gene therapy industries, the current state of the market, present and future opportunities for advancement, and the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you. You will receive an email shortly. Please check your inbox to download the Whitepaper. By Cytiva Thematic By downloading this Whitepaper, you acknowledge that GlobalData may share your information with Cytiva Thematic and that your personal data will be used as described in their Privacy Policy

The patent provides RxCell with exclusive rights to use iPSC-derived cells for treating a wide array of diseases. Credit: Pickadook/Shutterstock. RxCell has announced a US patent for its induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-based cell therapy approach, a method of generating multiple cellular therapy products from a single source of iPSCs. Patent 11,946,069 provides RxCell with exclusive rights to use iPSC-derived cells for treating a wide array of diseases. It details a method for differentiating cells from a clinically compliant iPSC source of a minimum of passage 20 or greater, produced under good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance. The process can produce cellular products including astrocytes, dopaminergic neurons, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, mesenchymal cells, retinal epithelium and retinal progenitors. With this patent, RxCell will strengthen its portfolio of new therapies targeting retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. See Also: Commercial drug manufacturing companies for the pharmaceutical industry Clinical development services for clinical trials The company is also developing liver cell therapies for hepatic diseases and vascular and connective tissue cells for a range of therapeutic applications. The methodology covered by the patent will enhance RxCell’s capabilities in developing effective treatments. By harnessing the potential of advanced iPSC technology, RxCell plans to deliver safe and effective therapeutic solutions for patients globally. The company aims to support other entities seeking to tackle various health conditions, leveraging the patented technology to achieve these goals. RxCell said in a statement: “The potential of cell replacement therapy has been evident for many years, yet its feasibility has been constrained by ethical concerns associated with embryonic cells, technological limitations affecting clinical efficacy, and safety concerns. “The maturation of iPSC technology has now addressed these challenges, enabling the development of novel therapeutic approaches for degenerative conditions.” Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva . Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content. Free Whitepaper Cell and gene therapies: Pipe dream to pipeline The cell and gene industry is gaining momentum, with a new wave of therapies promising to transform the way doctors treat, and even cure, disease. In this report, Cytiva and GlobalData have collaborated to explore the rise of the cell and gene therapy industries, the current state of the market, present and future opportunities for advancement, and the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you. You will receive an email shortly. Please check your inbox to download the Whitepaper. By Cytiva Thematic By downloading this Whitepaper, you acknowledge that GlobalData may share your information with Cytiva Thematic and that your personal data will be used as described in their Privacy Policy