World first for Pharmacells.

PHARMACELLS LTD is a Glasgow based biotechnology business specialising in supply and storage of adult stem cells. In particular they have exclusive rights to a comprehensive, 4 stage patent that allows harvesting, isolation, temperature controlled storage and specialist supply of a recently discovered, pluripotent adult stem cell line. These Blastomere-Like Stem Cells are derived from non-embryonic tissues, in this instance a component of blood, and will offer a viable source of adult stem cells for clinical treatment, research and development. The Pharmacells business model is unique in that it will offer 2 principal services based on its licensed technology. The first service is a stem cell harvesting, isolation and storage solution available to the general public. This service is intended to quickly become revenue generating; indeed, the first customers are already signed up. Harvesting is minimally invasive, requiring a small amount of peripheral blood, and the cells are isolated with a low cost proprietary method requiring no stimulation factors or pharmaceuticals. The isolated Blastomere-Like Stem Cells are available in peripheral blood in sufficient numbers to cater for future clinical treatments with the likely removal of ex-vivo expansion, currently a prohibitive barrier in stem cell therapies. The second service Pharmacells will offer is the commercial supply of nonembryonic derived pluripotent adult stem cells for research and development. At the time of writing, Pharmacells is expecting to be able to supply cells by mid-summer 2010 and as such is working with a number of well known academic institutes on collaborations involving nanotechnology, surface chemistry and retro viruses to name just a few. It has attracted interest from just about everyone that it has spoken to and its Chief Medical Officer, Dr Neil Fell is very excited about the doors that are opening and the possibilities that lie before Pharmacells. ‘The response that we are receiving from the academic community is just amazing and so encouraging for us. We took a risk when we formed Pharmacells but all the hard work is now starting to bear fruit. The cell line that we have has groundbreaking potential and it is very important that we continue to demonstrate to the academic community that we have a new tool available for them that could really push their work forward.’ Professor Rein Ulijn of the University of Strathclyde says of his collaboration with the Pharmacells team, ‘What is especially exciting about Pharmacells’ technology is that it makes patients’ own stem cells much more readily available. We welcome the opportunity to develop new materials to control and direct differentiation of these cells. Overall, I believe strongly that their exciting new technology will significantly impact upon future stem cells research.’ The business is in the final stages of preparation for launch and has recently been awarded Scottish Seed Funding, designed to ‘match’ investments made by various business angels. The funding round will allow them to push through the various licensing and preparations required to operate in the UK. The potential of the company convinced one of Scotland’s foremost biotechnology entrepreneurs to invest and become a non-executive director. Professor Andy Porter is perhaps best known for his work with University of Aberdeen spin out, Haptogen. Haptogen, which specialised in discovery of pharmaceutical therapies, was sold to Wyeth (which was itself subsequently acquired by Pfizer) in 2007. Since then, Professor Porter has combined his work as Chair in Molecular and Cell Biology at University of Aberdeen with his work for business investment group Grampian Bio Partners. Pharmacells CEO, Athol Haas quotes the work of Nexxus as being a critical part of their success to date. ‘Everybody at Nexxus and in particular, Osian Meredith has been a great help with introducing us to specific scientists and researchers that we are now working with closely. A small business like ours needs the personal relationships and knowledge that Nexxus has in spades. We’re grateful to them for their continuing support.’ As part of its continuing growth, Pharmacells is also working with Scottish Development International (SDI) and Enterprise Network Europe on an international growth strategy. The Pharmacells’ product range is designed to have no geographical boundaries and its business plans involve a rapid advancement into key European marketplaces. The company’s aim is to find compatible partners that have the skill set and knowledge to push the Pharmacells’ product range into their specific home territory. With a varied product range that serves science and the end user combined with a sound international strategy, Pharmacells is well placed to become highly successful and add to the innovative and entrepreneurial reputation already enjoyed by Scottish Life Sciences. For more information on Pharmacells contact Dr Neil Fell, CMO E: Neil.fell@pharmacells.co.uk W: www.pharmacells.co.uk