Benitec Biopharma, a biotechnology company and ReNeuron, UK-based stem cell therapeutics company, have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop cellular therapy programme including exosome-based delivery utilising Benitec's proprietary ddRNAi technology to address serious diseases.

This announcement follows promising initial data that has been generated in work performed at both companies indicating the feasibility of this approach.

Benitec and ReNeuron have completed a series of in vitro experiments that demonstrate that stem cells transduced with ddRNAi-expression constructs produce exosomes that are effective at delivering expressed shRNAs to target (cancer) cells and to knock down a specific gene in those cells. The data also indicated that ReNeuron's stem cells could be more effective than mesenchymal stem cells for this purpose. Whilst preliminary, these results could open the potential for both companies' platform technologies to be extended into a wide range of new therapeutic applications.

Benitec's chief executive officer, Dr. Peter French, commented "We are delighted to be extending our research collaboration with ReNeuron. The application of ddRNAi to stem cells and derived exosomes represents a unique combination of stem cell biology, gene therapy and gene silencing. It opens up a wide array of possibilities for extending the utility of core technologies from both companies for application into new therapeutic areas. Having ReNeuron as a collaborator on this approach increases the chances of success as their knowledge of stem cell science coupled with their unique therapeutic platforms are tremendous assets in this area."

ReNeuron's chief executive officer, Olav Hellebo, said "It is exciting to be working with Benitec to explore the potential of our technology as a delivery system for Benitec's unique gene silencing technology targeting drug resistant cancers. Benitec's extensive knowledge of expressed RNA interference is invaluable in this novel approach. Whilst the work is at an early stage we are committed to developing the programme in conjunction with Benitec to determine the optimal design and use of therapeutics deploying this promising and highly novel technology combination."

Benitec has appointed Bob Atwill, senior vice president, cellular therapies, to progress this and other potential opportunities in cellular and immunotherapies, such as ddRNAi-modified CAR-T cells. Atwill has extensive experience in the stem cell industry and was the former chief executive officer of the regenerative medicine division of Allied Healthcare Group, now Admedus.

ReNeuron is a leading, clinical-stage cell therapy development business. Based in the UK, its primary objective is the development of novel cell-based therapies targeting areas of significant unmet or poorly met medical need.

Benitec Biopharma Limited, is an ASX-listed biotechnology company, developing a patented gene-silencing technology called ddRNAi (RNAi) .