Exemplar joins Mayo Clinic to launch hepatocyte development company
December 22, 2018
Exemplar Genetics in partnership with Mayo Clinic launched a new company, Cytotheryx, focused on the development of a high-quality source of human liver cells or hepatocytes for clinical research, according to a press release.
“This collaboration combines our focus on unmet needs of patients with an innovative way to drive development of new therapies,” Andrew Danielsen, vice-chair of the department of business development at Mayo Clinic, said in the release.
Exemplar Genetics will provide business and technical resources for the company, while Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support nonprofit missions in patient care, education and research.
“Throughout the United States and the world there is a desperate need for a high-quality source of [hepatocytes] for medical research and regenerative medicine applications,” John R. Swart, president of Exemplar Genetics, said in the release. “Cytotheryx has brought together the team and technology to deliver on that need.”
Cytotheryx is headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota.
Human hepatocytes are necessary for drug toxicology studies, hepatitis virus research and gene therapy testing. Further, there are opportunities to utilize cells in liver assist devices and allotransplantation to treat acute liver failure. HHCs do not grow in culture and are derived primarily from human cadaver donors, which cannot provide the quality and volume essential to meet the various demands for these cells.
“Throughout the United States and the world there is a desperate need for a high quality source of HHCs for medical research and regenerative medicine applications,” commented Dr. John R. Swart, President of Exemplar Genetics. “Cytotheryx has brought together the team and technology to deliver on that need.”
Cytotheryx, utilizing technology developed at Mayo Clinic and the expertise of Exemplar Genetics, will provide a consistent source of high quality hepatocytes to address patient needs and market shortcomings. The market opportunity for HHCs utilized for research is estimated to be $250 million annually and is in excess of $1 billion for FDA approved applications.
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