Member Article

Meet the Newcastle University spin-out making breakthroughs in biotech

Biotech company Atelerix, a new spin-out from Newcastle University, is turning ‘great science’ into an exciting business opportunity through innovations in the use of encapsulated stem cells.

Offering a method of encapsulating human cells in a gel made from seaweed, the company says it is developing a revolutionary innovation which allows cells to be easy to store and transport.

Creating a transformative hydrogel technology for the storage and transport of viable cells, the business hopes to overcome the barriers presented by the current need for cryo-shipping.

The shipping of cells from one location to another for clinical and research use is a widespread and everyday practice. Asterix’s technology allows immediate access to cells which scientists believe generates many potential commercial outlets for its incorporation into practice.

According to the company’s technical experts, the hydrogel technology provides a better service which ‘is simple, cell-friendly and offers immediate access to stem cell therapy’.

In turn this opens up the market for the supply of cells and assays in a ready-to-use format, allowing suppliers to increase the range of assays available to consumers and to scale up their businesses.

Scientific founder, Professor Che Connon of Newcastle University says the breakthrough, patented invention provides dramatic improvements to an everyday process in a rapidly growing market.

Working on the project for five years now, Che explained: “Encapsulating cells in the alginate hydrogel is a simple, low cost system capable of preserving the viability and functionality of cells at temperatures between 4 and 21°C for extended periods of time.

“Used as a method of cell storage and transport, it overcomes the acknowledged problems associated with cryo-shipping.

“Cells are encapsulated by in situ formation of the gel for shipping in plates or vials, and can be rapidly released from the gel by the addition of a simple buffer.”

Atelerix is the first spin out company created under a new joint collaborative project between Newcastle and Durham University.

The Northern Accelerator project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is creating high technology spin-out companies by attracting business leaders to the innovative commercial opportunities both created and developed in the North East.

Dr Mick McLean, CEO for Atelerix, added: “Understanding both the technology and its commercial potential is essential for the translation of great science into an exciting business opportunity.

“Putting these elements in place by working together with the expert scientific team means that Atelerix has a clear value proposition - we enable the transport and storage of human cells at room temperature.”