ASX Health Stocks: Cynata signs deal with FujiFilm, set to produce MSC stem cells on a mass scale

The ASX 200 Health Index (XHJ) is trading higher by 0.70% at the time of writing, compared to the broader index which is up by 0.55%.

Cell therapy specialist, Cynata Therapeutics (ASX:CYP), has signed an agreement with FujiFilm Cellular Dynamics (FCDI) to manufacture Cynata’s Cymerus therapeutic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) products.

Cynata and FCDI will collaborate toward establishing the Cymerus manufacturing process at FCDI, which will involve technology transfer and process validation.

“Ultimately, we foresee FCDI manufacturing product for our growing pipeline of clinical trials in high value indications and potentially for commercial use,” says Dr Kilian Kelly, Cynata’s COO.

Cynata is currently developing MSC technology derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, which it says has huge therapeutic potential for numerous unmet medical needs.

According to CEO Dr Ross Macdonald, who spoke to Stockhead recently, MSC is the hottest segment of stem cell therapy at the moment.

In short, MSC therapies work by expressing a variety of chemokines and cytokines that aid in repair of degraded tissue, and counteract inflammation.

Because MSCs play a co-ordination role within the immune system, they can be used to treat different diseases.

Currently, the biggest problem facing MSC-based therapies is how to manufacture these products on a mass scale.

Unlike aspirin where it can be synthesised in a chemical lab and produced in bulk, manufacturing a living drug like a cell is a whole lot more complicated.

“But that big challenge is the exact area of strength and competitive advantage that Cynata has,” Dr Macdonald told Stockhead.

He says Cynata has a technology platform which allows it to manufacture essentially limitless quantities of MSCs, consistently and economically.

Cynata share price today:

Other ASX health stocks news this morning

LBT Innovations (ASX:LBT) will acquire a 50% stake of Clever Culture Systems (CCS) from a German company for $4m, taking LBT’s stake in CCS to 100% and making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of LBT.

CCS was established in 2013 to fund the development and commercialisation of LBT’s own APAS technology.

Since then, there has been significant investment to complete the development of the APAS Independence instrument, and launch the product globally.

With several key milestones achieved in the last 12 months, including the appointment of partners for sale of the instrument in the EU and US, LBT believes this is the opportune time to acquire 100% ownership of the CCS joint venture.

The Automated Plate Assessment System (or APAS) is based upon LBT’s intelligent imaging and machine learning software, and remains the only US FDA-cleared AI technology for automated imaging, analysis and interpretation of culture plates following incubation.

Inhalation therapy specialist, InhaleRx Ltd (ASX:IRX), has appointed Darryl Davies as an executive director following the recent resignation of its CEO, Matthew Golden.

InhaleRx’s chairman Sean Williams said Davies’ appointment “presents the company with the opportunity to expand the distribution channels for its market leading Medihale device in Australia, and create white label opportunities both for the domestic and international markets.”