International Stem Cell Corporation (ISC), a California-based stem cell therapeutics company, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology has entered into an agreement to manufacture adipose (fat)-derived stem cell research products for Cytori Therapeutics.
Lifeline will process and derive stem cells from adipose tissue provided by Cytori. The manufacturing process will yield batches of frozen vials of stem cells that have been isolated, purified and expanded from the adipose tissue. These packaged stem cells will then move into an international supply chain.
The cells will initially be used for research purposes for studies into regenerative medicine and basic cell biology. Providing access and availability of these standardized human stem cells to scientific researchers holds the promise to accelerate discoveries and foster advancements into new therapeutic applications.
"We are pleased that Cytori has chosen to work with our stem cell manufacturing team to scale up and commercialize the production of these important stem cells," said Jeffery Janus, president of both International Stem Cell Corporation and Lifeline Cell Technology. "We are in the business of providing specialized human cells and growth media to researchers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and the government. We recently reported the launch of our first nine products and we are highly experienced in manufacturing and selling cell and media systems," said Janus.
"It is a good fit for both companies," commented Jeff Krstich, CEO of International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO), "but, it is an especially important step for ISCO. Beyond our own discoveries in stem cell research, it is our goal to be the source of an unlimited supply of human cells for the greater research community; thus contributing to the advance in regenerative medicine in general, as well as participating in the growing numbers of effective cellular therapies to treat specific diseases.
Cytori Therapeutics is a global leader in the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine products. The company is developing therapeutic applications for its Celution System to enable real-time regenerative cell therapy in conjunction with breast reconstruction surgery, cardiovascular disease, and other unmet medical needs.
International Stem Cell is a biotechnology company currently focused on developing therapeutic and research products. In the area of therapeutic product development, ISCO's objective is to create an unlimited source of human cells for use in the treatment of several diseases, including diabetes, liver disease and retinal disease through cell transplant therapy.