CellMed AG - Focusing on safe and effective biological drug delivery systems
Cellmed's CellBeads and Peter Geigle
This technology is based on CellMed's patented know-how for the production of the CellBeads®-Biopolymer.
CellMed AG (also CellMed), based in Alzenau, Germany/Bavaria, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on Biological Drug Delivery of therapeutic proteins based on its proprietary, innovative and broadly applicable encapsulation concept, the CellBeads® Technology. This technology is based on the company´s patented know-how for the production of the CellBeads®-Biopolymer, a highly purified and highly biocompatible natural biopolymer. CellMed is a fully owned subsidiary of Biocompatibles International Plc.
The main focus of CellMed is using the CellBeads®-Biopolymer's immunoisolating properties in order to produce injectable therapeutic cell systems. Our products under development, CellBeads®, are micro-implants that produce proteins in the human body over a desired period of time. CellBeads® contain living cells which deliver therapeutic molecules to treat a certain disease, such as diabetes type 2, and brain tumour. The CellBeads® Technology offers solutions for a spectrum of therapeutic proteins that face difficulties when used with a standard delivery technology: proteins with short half-life are continuously delivered; delivery behind the blood-brain barrier is enabled; local delivery of toxic substances diminishes systemic side effects.
CellBeads® have a diameter of approximately 500µm. They can be delivered to a place of implantation via direct injection or through a catheter.
CellMed has established a GMP-compliant cell line as starting material to develop a cell clone secreting therapeutic proteins. These cells show excellent survival in the beads over weeks, being an attractive zero order long term release system.
A plasmid vector, especially designed for in vivo studies, was used for transfection of the parental cell line with the gene encoding the therapeutic protein. The plasmid allows co-expression of two genes from two separate transcription units and contains cellular promoters, which can yield persistent expression of the transgenes in vivo.
This cell line will be used in a clinical trial in early 2007.
Furthermore the CellBeads®-Biopolymer can be used as a scaffold material in tissue engineering and as a filler in aesthetics.
Key People
CellMed consists of a well selected group of people who bring along the different qualities and expertise needed to develop high tech products accompanied by entrepreneurial spirit and proven management capabilities as well as a strong background in international capital markets.
The company was founded in December 2000 by Dr. Peter Geigle and Dipl. Wirtsch.Ing. Olaf Althaus. Peter Geigle, a medical doctor, has occupied several management positions in the Lifescience industry and lately was a
Managing Director within Biotest AG, a German Lifescience company. Olaf Althaus, formerly Director at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein's Corporate Finance division, gained extensive know how in Investment Banking and Private Equity.
In 2002 the management board has been enlarged by the appointment of Dr. Roland Reiner, a Ph.D. in chemistry with 20 years of top management experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Before joining CellMed AG Dr. Reiner was head of the Pharma Division and member of the board of Biotest AG, a German listed pharmaceutical company.
Scientific Staff
The R&D team is headed by Dr. Christine Wallrapp, who has broad experience in the field of cellular biology, with a dedicated focus in the area of therapeutic use of cells. An expert R&D-team from Asta Medica (now Baxter) was hired shortly after foundation of the company adding special knowledge in Molecular Biology and Gene Technology. The company now employs 28 people with specific expertise in various segments, 12 of which are qualified Ph.D.s in natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Medicine).
Facilities
CellMed AG's premises (800m2) are located in a new building that has been specifically designed for the Life Science Industry. CellMed AG's research facilities are equipped with advanced laboratory equipment for cellular and molecular biological work. The laboratories are designed according to the S2-classification and currently operated under S1-classification. At the GMP certified production facility a clean room is exclusively used for encapsulation purposes. The production of the CellBeads®-Biopolymer and CellBeads® is performed according to GMP regulations.
Cell clone secreting therapeutic proteins
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The products may not be available for sale, may not be registered, approved or cleared for use as claimed, in all countries where Biocompatibles is represented.