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Cell Therapy Catapult Signs Major Development Agreement with Asterias Biotherapeutics Inc.The Cell Therapy Catapult, the UK organisation dedicated to the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry by bridging the gap between scientific research and commercialisation, today announces the signing of an agreement with Asterias Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST). The agreement engages the Cell Therapy Catapult to advance development of a large scale manufacturing processes for AST-VAC2, Asterias' allogeneic dendritic cell immunotherapy. As a part of the agreement, Asterias will be opening a UK subsidiary and employing staff based in the UK. The Cell Therapy Catapult will streamline and scale manufacturing processes for Asterias' AST-VAC2 and its forthcoming phase II clinical trial targeting lung cancer. This will provide support that will enable advanced clinical trials and eventual commercialisation of the immunotherapy product. AST-VAC2 is an allogeneic (non-patient specific) cancer vaccine designed to stimulate patient immune responses to telomerase, which is expressed in over 95% of human cancers but is rarely expressed in normal adult cells. AST-VAC2 is currently being developed towards a Phase I/II trial in lung cancer in collaboration with Cancer Research UK. Asterias selected the Cell Therapy Catapult because of its depth of expertise in cell therapy and the head start the Cell Therapy Catapult had on the challenge due to its own internal Cell Plasticity Platform Project, which is developing large scale manufacturing processes for pluripotent cells. Asterias believes the Cell Therapy Catapult is an important driver in making the UK an environment that facilitates and supports the development of regenerative medicine products. As part of the agreement, Asterias plans a UK subsidiary. The subsidiary will provide Asterias with the ability to effectively collaborate with the Cell Therapy Catapult and other major partners in the UK. Asterias also will use the UK operation to play a critical role in contributing to the development of the AST-VAC2 platform and maximizing its value. "International partnerships are critical for the further development of the UK cell and gene therapy industry. The Cell Therapy Catapult has been instrumental in attractin Asterias, a leading US quoted cell therapy company to the UK," said Keith Thompson, CEO, the Cell Therapy Catapult. "This is an example of how our core platform projects, which aim to overcome major industry challenges, can be leveraged to promote growth of the UK industry." "The establishment of a subsidiary in the UK provides Asterias with the ability to effectively collaborate with the Cell Therapy Catapult at a low cost in the medium term while providing a base from which to grow our AST-VAC2 platform and maximise its value," said Pedro Lichtinger, chief executive officer, Asterias. "This collaboration with the Cell Therapy Catapult allows Asterias to accelerate its development of manufacturing processes that will be compatible with the commercial needs of our cell based products," said Katy Spink Ph.D., chief operating officer, Asterias. "The collaboration also enhances our strategic relationships in the UK, an environment which facilitates and supports the development of regenerative medicine products." About Asterias Biotherapeutics Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST) is a leading biotechnology company in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The Company's proprietary, industry leading platforms are based on its pluripotent stem cell and dendritic cell immunotherapy technologies. Asterias is focused on developing therapies to treat conditions in several medical areas where there is high unmet medical need and inadequate available therapies. AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) is currently in a Phase 1/2a dose escalation clinical trial in spinal cord injury. AST-VAC1 (antigen-presenting autologous dendritic cells) has demonstrated promise in a Phase 2 study in acute myelogenous leukemia. AST-VAC2 (antigen-presenting allogeneic dendritic cells) represents a second generation, allogeneic approach to dendritic cell vaccines. Additional information about Asterias can be found at www.asteriasbiotherapeutics.com. About the Cell Therapy Catapult The Cell Therapy Catapult was established in 2012 as an independent centre of excellence to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry, by bridging the gap between scientific research and full-scale commercialisation. With more than 100 employees focusing on cell and gene therapy technologies, we work with our partners in academia and industry to ensure these life-changing therapies can be developed for use in health services throughout the world. We offer leading-edge capability, technology and innovation to enable companies to take products into clinical trials and provide clinical, process development, manufacturing, regulatory, health economics and market access expertise. We aim to make the UK the most compelling and logical choice for UK and international partners to develop and commercialise these advanced therapies. Regenerative medicine is one of the UK government's eight great technologies that support UK science strengths and business capabilities. The Cell Therapy Catapult works with Innovate UK. For more information go to ct.catapult.org.uk or visit www.gov.uk/innovate-uk.
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