Autologous insulin developer Orgenesis forms Israeli cell therapy JV
Orgenesis is a Maryland-based biotech which is using its Autologous Insulin Producing (AIP) cell transplantation technology to develop a cell therapy for diabetes.
According to an SEC filing, the firm has entered into a 50-50 joint venture with newly formed Israeli company Atvio Biotech in order to form a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) for cell and virus therapy products in the field of regenerative medicine within Israel.
While Orgenesis did not respond to Biopharma-Reporter.com for more information, the filing says the firm has paid Atvio has been charged with setting up and maintaining a GMP facility in Israel, and has received $1m from Orgenesis to cover the costs.
“[Orgenesis] will share with Atvio the Company’s know-how in the field of cell therapy manufacturing, which know-how will not include the intellectual property included in the license from the Tel Hashomer Hospital in Israel to Orgenesis Ltd., the Company’s subsidiary,” the filing added.
The company’s initial product takes a liver biopsy from the patient, sends it to a central laboratory where the manufacturing platform is used to produce a sufficient amount of AIP cells which are then transplanted back into a patient’s liver.
In March 2015, the firm acquired contract manufacturer Masthercell SA to help progress the treatment into the clinic, adding a GMP production facility in Gosselies, Belgium.
If proven clinically successful, the firm claims the regeneration of functional insulin-producing cells could transform the diabetes treatment space.