iPSC lines under investigation for use in unmet medical needs

A research evaluation agreement has provided the opportunity for Bone Therapeutics to access and transfer Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) lines, from US-based Implant Therapeutics.

Under the initial 12 month agreement, technology evaluation, product design and optimisation of these iPSC derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) will be performed, with a further agreement covering commercial R & D stages of development as required. In parallel, research and evaluation studies will be conducted on a number of genes that are of interest as well as genetic modification technologies and methodologies. The Belgium company’s lead product ALLOB, currently in clinical trials for different orthopaedic indications, was developed from its bone marrow-derived allogeneic MSC cell therapy platform.

“Unmodified MSC-based products have already generated positive efficacy signals across the industry. Bone Therapeutics believes that greater efficacy can be further achieved by professionalising and tailoring the functionality of the cells for each indication,” said company cso Tony Ting. “To address further, life-threatening indications with high levels of mortality and a significant unmet medical need, it will be essential to genetically engineer MSCs. This will give these cells the ammunition they need to tackle difficult diseases.”

 “Implant Therapeutics has acquired technologies and considerable specialist knowledge to build our portfolio of iPSC derived MSCs. This expertise will be of specific use to Bone Therapeutics as it utilises our iPSC derived MSCs to expand its indications,” said Dr Mahendra Rao, founder, Implant Therapeutics. “We will continue to work with Bone Therapeutics as it develops and integrates these iPSC derived MSCs to address significant unmet medical needs.”

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