RTI Biologics Licenses Adult Stem Cell Technology
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
RTI Biologics announced a collaboration with Athersys this morning, whereby RTI will have access to Athersys' Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cell (MAPC) technology. RTI plans on developing the cells for orthopedic applications, noting that MPAC will help them to differentiate their orthobiologics portfolio.
RTI did not specify which particular indications they're pursuing, though similar adult stem cell products are currently marketed in spine, namely NuVasive's Osteocel and Orthofix's Trinity. Both are minimally-manipulated tissues approved for sale by the FDA as HCT/Ps. This would provide Athersys with an immediate path-to-market for its cells, similar to the strategy pursued by Osiris in their initial commercialization of Osteocel; Athersys is currently pursuing a number of INDs, the most developed of which are currently in phase I trials.
RTI will pay $3 million to license MAPC, and Athersys may receive a total of $37.5 million from future milestone and royalty payments. As a potential barometer for sales of the MAPC products, revenues for Osteocel and Trinity have been steadily increasing over the past several years. NuVasive anticipates that Osteocel will bring in around $45 million in sales in 2010, up from $32 million in 2009, and Orthofix estimates that Trinity sales will be around $28-$30 million in 2010, up from around $20 million in 2009. RTI will pay $3 million to license MAPC, and Athersys may receive a total of $37.5 million from future milestone and royalty payments.
RTI anticipates the first MAPC products will be available to orthopedic surgeons in 1H:12.
