Kerecis, the emerging tissue-regeneration company, and the chemo-sensitivity-testing company ValaMed have signed a research collaboration contract. Under the terms of the agreement, the two Iceland-based companies will collaborate on the research of cell growth in various matrixes.

ValaMed is involved in the development of chemo-sensitivity assays of cancerous tissues. The company is developing assessment methodologies that will allow the determination of the best possible drugs to treat cancerous cells on an individualized basis. ValaMed collaborates with a number of leading oncologists, surgeons and other scientists worldwide on its development stage chemo-sensitivity tests.

Kerecis is involved in the research, development and production of tissue-regeneration products that can be used in reconstructive, soft- and hard-tissue surgical procedures. For regulatory purposes, the company's technology is classified as a medical device. The patent-pending Kerecis technology is currently in the development stage. Kerecis completed its start-up financing round in December 2009 and expects to close up to USD 4.8 million in round A financing in the first quarter of 2011. The money will facilitate the completion of clinical trials of the company’s patent-pending, marine-derived, tissue-regeneration product, which has applications across multiple medical-device sectors including wound care and abdominal wall reconstruction.

Dr Gudmundur Gudmundsson, VP Science & Technology, Kerecis Limited, “The Kerecis science program focuses on the development of fish-protein-derived matrices that attract cells and enable them to proliferate in a sustainable manner. ValaMed possesses skills and technology that can help us evaluate the efficacy of the materials we are developing.”

Dr Finnbogi Rutur Thormodsson, chief science officer, ValaMed Limited, “Through the collaboration with Kerecis we will be able to enhance our understanding of cell proliferation in different tissues as well as to improve our assessment technology for cell response.”

Kerecis is a development and manufacturing business producing a novel, patent-pending tissue-regeneration material derived from fish skin to accelerate the healing of wounds and tissue reconstruction.

ValaMed was established in 2007 to develop assessment methodologies that will allow the determination of the best available drugs to treat cancerous cells on an individualized basis.