Stem Cell Sciences licences new stem cell to help speed up drug discovery
LONDON (AFX) - Stem Cell Sciences PLC (SCS) has in-licensed a novel human stem cell, discovered in fat tissue and easily grown, which the company said could help to improve the drug discovery process.
The so-called 'human multi-potent adipocyte-derived stem cell' has been shown by scientists to be capable of producing fat and bone at very high efficiency, and will be suited for drug discovery in such areas as obesity and osteoporosis.
SCS holds world-wide exclusive rights to commercialise the cells for drug discovery in the field of obesity, and an exclusive option in the field of osteoporosis.
The company said the new licence will enable it to position itself as the leading supplier of stem cell derived cell types for drug discovery, a rapidly developing market.
'We have been delighted with the way these cells have performed and expect their addition to our cell-based screening platform will substantially expand the range of discovery assays that we can offer to pharmaceutical industry partners,' chief executive Dr Peter Mountford said in a statement.
Shares in AIM-listed Stem Cells closed Monday at 56.5 pence, valuing the company at 12.6 mln stg.
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