18.06.2014
Vita 34 AG DE000A0BL849
DGAP-News: Vita 34 AG Expands its R&D Activities to Include Research Projects Involving Autologous Fatty Tissue and a New Project Phase in the Production of Active Agents
DGAP-News: Vita 34 AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
Vita 34 AG Expands its R&D Activities to Include Research Projects
Involving Autologous Fatty Tissue and a New Project Phase in the
Production of Active Agents
18.06.2014 / 14:03
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Vita 34 AG Expands its R&D Activities to Include Research Projects
Involving Autologous Fatty Tissue and a New Project Phase in the Production
of Active Agents
- Vita 34 intensifies research work and plans expansion of research
capacities
- Grants for a new research project on the cryo-preservation of
autologous fatty tissues approved
- Project for the development of cultural conditions for the optimized
production of active agents in a bioreactor started
Leipzig, 18 June 2014 - Vita 34 AG (WKN A0BL84, Frankfurt, Prime Standard),
a pioneer in the storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and
tissue, and a specialist in cryo-preservation, is expanding its research
activities in the field of biotechnology. Already in May of this year Vita
34 participated in an R&D project in cooperation with national partners in
its own research laboratory. Moreover, Vita 34 will conduct a development
project on the cryo-preservation of autologous fatty tissues together with
the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology Leipzig, and human
med AG Schwerin. The project is being supported by the German Federal
Ministry for the Economy and Energy (BMWi). The start of the project phase
is planned for 2014.
The desired development goal encompasses a production permit for a
cryo-technical procedure for providing a vital and safely applicable fatty
tissue product. Autologous fatty tissue is used in reconstructive surgery
as a filler material, for example in the treatment of burn wounds or in
tissue reconstruction after the removal of tumors. The successful
replantation of the fatty tissue, however, is dependent on the vitality of
the fat cells. Since there are currently no adequate preservation processes
on the market, the tissue transplantation must be performed in the present
surgical practice directly after collection of the fatty tissue, in order
to ensure ideal integration of the transplant.
Dr. André Gerth, CEO of Vita 34 AG, explains: "We expect an increasing
demand for the cryo-preservation and reliable storage of cells and tissues
thanks to the progressing development of personalized medicine. Since this
field of medicine is focused on customized therapies tailored to the
individual patient, autologous, or the body's own stem cells play a
significant role, as do autologous stem cells from fatty tissue. We can
make an active contribution to the further development of stem cell
medicine with the new research project." In addition, Vita 34 has started a
new research project in the field of the production of active agents. Dr.
Gerth continues: "We are convinced of the potential of plant stem cells and
the active agents produced from them for the pharmaceutical industry. By
developing the corresponding processes for the ideal production of plant
active agents, we can profit from the results of research." The objective
of a test performed by Vita 34 in a roughly three-year project is the
development of a process that allows not only the production of active
ingredients in the greatest possible quantities, but also in an expanded
spectrum. To this end the plant stem cells are introduced in to the
bioreactor for producing the active ingredients.
The expansion of research initiatives is a significant part of the growth
strategy outlined by Vita 34. "Via successful research, Vita 34 can open up
the potential of establishing new products based on stem cells in the field
of regenerative medicine, thereby earning additional revenue," explains Dr.
Gerth. In order to participate in new medical knowledge and product
innovations in the field of stem cell medicine, Vita 34 plans on
continuously intensifying its research work. To this end the company will
expand research activities and create additional jobs in the research and
development departments of the Biotechnology business segment. Research
activities of Vita 34 are supported by EU, federal and state funds in the
amount of about EUR 570 k in the current fiscal year.
Vita 34 has significantly expanded the Biotechnology business segment since
the takeover of BioPlanta GmbH in 2012, and has established it as the
research arm of the company. The goal is the development of a biological
process for producing cell and tissue cultures, as well as its use in the
optimization and multiplication of cell lines. Here, Vita 34 is involved in
applied research in cooperation with renowned universities and research of
application.
Company Profile
Vita 34 was founded in 1997 as the first private umbilical cord blood bank
in Europe and, as a complete provider, offers the collection logistics,
preparation and storage of umbilical cord blood and blood products. An
outstanding position in the cryo-preservation segment is the basis for the
successful work. Here, cells and tissues are preserved alive at
temperatures around minus 190 degrees Celsius, and can be used if needed in
the context of medical treatment. Parents of more than 104,000 children are
already taking advantage of this offering and have provided for their
children with a stem cell deposit at Vita 34. To date, 26 therapeutic
applications have been performed with stem cell preparations stored at Vita
34.
End of Corporate News
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18.06.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
company of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Language: English
Company: Vita 34 AG
Deutscher Platz 5a
04103 Leipzig
Germany
Phone: +49(0341)48792-40
Fax: +49(0341)48792-39
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.vita34.de
ISIN: DE000A0BL849
WKN: A0BL84
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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