GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- MaxCyte, Inc. announced today that Geron Corporation has exercised an option for a clinical and commercial license to use MaxCyte's proprietary cell loading system in the manufacture of mRNA-loaded autologous dendritic cell-based vaccines, including Geron's GRNVAC1 telomerase vaccine. The agreement provides Geron with access to MaxCyte's cell loading technology for use in manufacturing GRNVAC1 and future therapeutic cancer vaccine products. In addition, Geron and MaxCyte have expanded their relationship to include a commercial license option for the use of MaxCyte's technology in allogeneic dendritic cell vaccines that Geron is developing using its embryonic stem cell technology.
"Geron's exercise of its option to license our technology was the culmination of a successful collaboration between two very talented development teams at Geron and MaxCyte to optimize our cell loading technology for Geron's dendritic cell work," said Douglas Doerfler, President and CEO of MaxCyte. "We are delighted to be continuing and extending our relationship with Geron."
MaxCyte and Geron have successfully completed the research and development plan, validating and optimizing the MaxCyte system for use in the closed- system manufacturing process being developed by Geron for GRNVAC1. Geron's clinical and commercial license to MaxCyte's technology includes a long term supply contract, as well as rights to reference MaxCyte's FDA Master File in Geron's regulatory submissions.
"We have been very satisfied with the performance of the MaxCyte system in our GRNVAC1 closed system process, and this arrangement will ensure our continued access to MaxCyte's technology for GRNVAC1 and other vaccine programs at Geron," said Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's President & CEO.
GRNVAC1 is a therapeutic cancer vaccine composed of autologous dendritic cells loaded ex vivo with telomerase mRNA. In March 2005, results of the first completed Phase I/II clinical trial of GRNVAC1 in metastatic prostate cancer patients was published in the Journal of Immunology (JI, 2005, 174:3798-38097). The vaccine protocol successfully generated telomerase specific T-cell responses in 19 of 20 subjects. The vaccine was well tolerated, with no major treatment-related toxicities. Peak immune responses to vaccination were remarkably high, with between 1% and 2% of circulating CD8+ T-cells demonstrating anti-telomerase specificity.
About MaxCyte
MaxCyte is a clinical-stage cell therapeutics company with a rapidly growing pipeline of product development partnerships in cell-based therapies. The Company's proprietary ex vivo cell loading technology overcomes critical obstacles such as safety, scalability and reproducibility which are fundamental to successful cell-based therapies. MaxCyte has demonstrated the value of its versatile technology in partnered therapeutic programs in oncology, pulmonary, metabolic and infectious diseases as well as in development collaborations with leading researchers. Current clinical programs with MaxCyte-engineered cells include a Phase I/II clinical study for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and a Phase IIa study for the treatment of primary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). In addition, there are advanced preclinical programs in oncology and regenerative medicine. More than 16 commercial and academic partners are currently using the MaxCyte technology. The MaxCyte system has an FDA Master File in place at CBER.
For more information, visit http://www.maxcyte.com.
This press release may contain, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including risks and uncertainties.
Ron Holtz Chief Financial Officer MaxCyte, Inc. (301) 944-1700
MaxCyte, Inc.CONTACT: Ron Holtz, Chief Financial Officer of MaxCyte, Inc.,+1-301-944-1700
Web site: http://www.maxcyte.com/
