Orgenesis Inc (NASDAQ:ORGS) announced Tuesday a breakthrough in the field of cell and gene therapy.
In a statement, the global biotech said it had "developed a breakthrough and patented manufacturing process" for so-called bioxomes, through its collaboration and licensing agreement with ExcellaBio Ltd.
READ: Orgenesis CEO Vered Caplan says R&D labs still operating during coronavirus pandemic
Bioxomes are synthetically made exosomes or extracellular vesicles (EVs). The latter are what transfers DNA, RNA, and proteins to other cells, thereby altering the function of targeted cells.
Bioxomes are engineered and produced through a patented method as membrane nanoparticles isolated from cell cultures of various sources, said the company
"Orgenesis and ExcellaBio have now demonstrated the optimization and scale up of bioxomes, while generating consistent and repeatable results, including uniform particles sizes," it added
Until now, exosome/EV production has been based on conventional, complex and costly methods of ultracentrifugation or ultrafiltration.
Huge breakthrough
"Orgenesis and ExcellaBio developing this new process represents a true breakthrough in the field of cell and gene therapy," said Orgenesis CEO Vered Caplan in a statement.
"It provides the ability to produce robust yields in only a few steps. We believe this process may unlock the potential for large-scale production of bioxomes for a variety of therapeutic applications based on the natural intracellular trafficking abilities of exosomes/ EVs. In particular, we are aiming to develop promising new therapies, where we can deliver intracellular antiviral payloads, among dozens of other potential cell and gene therapies," she added.
Bioxomes can be sourced effectively from various cell cultures. These include mesenchymal stem cells, immortalized cells, immune cells and epithelial cells, the firm added.
Shares added nearly 10% to $3.64 in New York
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Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com