Gamida Cell Ltd. and Cellerix Partner on Feasibility Study Pre-clinical Study Will Test new Method of Improving Clinical Efficacy of Expanded Populations of Adult Stem Cells Obtained From Adipose Tissue
JERUSALEM and MADRID, October 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Gamida Cell Ltd. and Cellerix, S.A. announced today that the companies are collaborating on a feasibility study to evaluate the added value of combining the proprietary technologies of each.
Gamida Cell is developing a series of technologies to expand, ex vivo, populations of stem/progenitor cells that display increased in vivo homing and engraftment activities. The company's lead product, StemEx(R), comprised of expanded populations of adult stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB), is used today as an experimental treatment for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The Company anticipates StemEx(R) will reach the market in 2011.
Cellerix is developing a new generation of cell-based medicines using expanded adult stem cells (eASCs) obtained from adipose tissue. The Company is also very active developing its allogeneic eASCs platform as 2nd generation products through its Cx611 program for high potential markets. eASCs are a natural medicine with the capacity to activate physiological repair mechanisms through interaction with affected tissue. This technology represents a potential revolution in the treatment of some diseases that cannot satisfactorily be cured at present.
"Gamida Cell is enthusiastic about working with Cellerix, a world class company and an industry leader," said Dr. Yael Margolin, president and CEO of Gamida Cell. "Gamida Cell's technologies have demonstrated to improve in vivo functionality of ex-vivo expanded hematopoietic stem cells. This collaboration seeks to evaluate the feasibility of improving clinical efficacy of ex vivo expanded adult stem cells obtained from adipose tissue by means of increasing homing and retention following infusion. The results of this study could lead to an entirely new understanding of the widespread application of our various technologies and expand the number of possibilities for Gamida Cell in terms of product development and partnerships."
"Cellerix has a promising pipeline of cell therapeutics in advanced clinical trials. Existing data shows that Gamida Cell's expansion technologies are very effective in hematopoietic stem cells. Combining the technologies of our companies could lead to developing a new line of cell therapeutics. We are looking forward to seeing the results of this collaboration with an eye on further co-development and commercialization opportunities," said Eduardo Bravo, CEO at Cellerix.
About Cellerix, S.A.
Cellerix is a biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of late clinical stage cell therapy products (phase II and III) targeting indications that represent a high unmet medical need.
The company has three products undergoing clinical trials: Ontaril(R) (Cx401) for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas, currently in Phase III, first medicine expected to reach the market in 2011, Cx501 a cell therapy product for treating epidermolysis bullosa (EB) currently in Phase II and Cx601 consists of a formulation based on donor cells (allogeneic origin) for treating complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease patients now in phase II. Ontaril(R), Cx501 and Cx601 have been designated orphan status by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Cellerix has a solid investor base, its ownership structure includes blue chips international VCs and corporate funds from two big pharma companies.
For more information: please visit http://www.cellerix.com.
About Gamida Cell
Gamida Cell Ltd. is a world leader in stem cell expansion technologies and therapeutic products. The company is developing a pipeline of products in stem cell transplantation and in tissue regeneration to effectively treat debilitating and often fatal illnesses such as cancer, hematological and autoimmune diseases. Gamida Cell's therapeutic candidates contain populations of adult stem cells, selected from non-controversial sources such as umbilical cord blood and bone marrow, which are expanded in culture. Gamida Cell was successful in translating these proprietary expansion technologies into robust and validated manufacturing processes under GMP. Gamida Cell's first product, StemEx(R) for blood cancers, is currently being studied in a pivotal registration trial now enrolling patients at leading stem cell transplant centers worldwide (http://www.stemexstudy.com). Gamida Cell's current shareholders include: Elbit Imaging, Biomedical Investment, Israel Healthcare Venture, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Denali Ventures and Auriga Ventures.
SOURCE Gamida Cell LTD
CONTACT: Press contact for Cellerix: Abigail Diaz-Agero, +34-91-436-1806
or adiazagero@comco.es; Press contact for Gamida Cell: Marjie Hadad,
+972-54-536-5220 or marjie@gamida-cell.com.