Under the deal, Cytovance will develop a therapeutic factor concentrate platform and program for NeuroFx, as well as development and manufacturing processes. NeuroFx is developing a cell-free therapeutic factor concentrate derived from adult adipose (fat) stem cells, known as NFx101.
"Stem cells have demonstrated promise in early clinical trials evaluating safety, feasibility, and effectiveness for treating stroke. The mechanism of action by which multipotent adult stem cells address the complex pathophysiology of stroke is not predominantly their ability to differentiate into cell types that replace tissues lost to injury, but occurs through soluble therapeutic factors secreted by these cells which promote survival and repair," said NeuroFx CEO Wade Lange.
The company claims NFx-101 is a platform technology that has potential to be successfully used in non-neurological conditions, including musculoskeletal, dermatologic and cardiovascular conditions.
Brian Johnstone, NeuroFx Director of R&D, added, "Recognition of the critical function of mesenchymal stem cells' (MSC) paracrine factors has prompted investigation into many different disease models of conditioned medium (CM) obtained from culturing MSC. Studies in rodent stroke models have validated the therapeutic potential of adipose stem/stromal cell (ASC) as well as MSC-derived therapeutic factors, demonstrating a similar effect as with cell delivery."
In addition to its cGMP manufacturing services, Cytovance offers process development, cGMP cell banking and support services from its Oklahoma City facilities.