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Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics Strikes Deal to Develop Off-The-Shelf Cell Therapies for Ocular Diseases
Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics Inc. (FCDI) is teaming up with Bayer’s wholly-owned subsidiary BlueRock Therapeutics and Opsis Therapeutics to develop off-the-shelf cell therapies for patients with ocular diseases. The R&D alliance is expected to produce 3 cell therapies, with BlueRock Therapeutics paying up to $70 million.
The Expertise of Each Company
FCDI is a developer and manufacturer of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have the ability to transform into any type of human cell. The firm will work with Opsis Therapeutics, a joint venture of FCDI, and David Gamm, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder.
Opsis has a pipeline of first-in-class cell replacement therapies on the eyes to target degenerative ocular diseases such as dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).
BlueRock Therapeutics and Bayer will provide their expertise in cell therapy development to produce next-generation treatments.
Agreement Details
Under the agreement, BlueRock Therapeutics will make an upfront payment of 30 million and up to 40 million for R&D and manufacturing to gain the rights to license, develop and commercialize three ocular cell therapies to treat AMD and IRDs containing human retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptor cell. The candidate programs are currently in preclinical trials.
FCDI will be responsible for the clinical and commercial supply while it will share manufacturing costs with BlueRock Therapeutics. And FCDI and Opsis therapeutics can gain development and commercial milestones and royalty payments.
Fujifilm to Further iPSC Development
FCDI was formed in 2015 when Japan’s Fujifilm acquired Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) with $ 307 million.
With iPS cell therapies plants located in Madison, Wisconsin and Novato, California, FCDI on March 4 launched another new plant in Madison to accelerate FCDI’s pipeline in iPSC and regenerative medicine and supply for Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) deals.
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