FibromEd and Sistemic are engaged in a collaborative project to identify important micro RNA signatures, required for high fidelity human hepatocyte generation from pluripotent stem cells.

FibromEd and Sistemic (www.sistemic.co.uk) are engaged in a collaborative project to identify important microRNA (miRNA) signatures, required for high fidelity human hepatocyte generation from pluripotent stem cells.  The project is funded by the Scottish Stem Cell Network.

Please contact either Dr David Hay (david.hay@fibromed.co.uk) or Dr Verna McErlane (verna.mcerlane@sistemic.co.uk)  if you require more details.

Sistemic to Work with TiGenix On Landmark EUR 5.9 Million, FP7 European Project Aiming at Developing an Innovative Rheumatoid Arthritis Cell Therapy Treatment Product

Glasgow, UK, February 7, 2012 / B3C newswire / - Sistemic is delighted to announce that its proprietary technology (SistemQC™) has been chosen to form a key part of the research and production process for a landmark multinational collaborative project led by TiGenix, Belgium and including partners from Spain, France, the Netherlands as well as the UK and Belgium. The project, REGENER-AR, will bring the first stem cell therapy treatment product for rheumatoid arthritis, Cx611, through final research and clinical development.

The proprietary SistemQC™ miRNA-based stem cell characterization and quality control tool-kit will provide important insights into process optimization and QC testing of TiGenix’s pioneering cell therapy product. This work is part of a larger collaborative effort led by TiGenix and funded by a EUR 5.9 million European Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) grant under the topic “Regenerative medicine clinical trials” within the Health theme.

SistemQC™ combines robust miRNA profiling with superior statistical analytics and multi-layered contextual analysis to generate a fingerprint of key miRNAs (kmiR™s). This approach provides a succinct read out on the status of the cells, with the added benefit of being able to interpret the underlying biological effects associated with any change observed. Additionally, the kmiR™ fingerprints can be adapted to a QPCR method for ease of integration into laboratory routine, and provide rapid testing. They can be used as a cell phenotype characterization tool in combination with a qualitative assessment of product cell composition, or to monitor product quality during scale-up and aid the selection of manufacturing process improvements.

Dr Vincent O’Brien, Sistemic’s Chief Science Officer said, “We are honoured to be working with TiGenix and Cellerix, its Spanish subsidiary as well as partners from all over Europe. Sistemic will provide in-depth product characterization data during the clinical trial with Cx611. This will be a critical part of the development and subsequent production process. We look forward to collaborating with all of the consortium members on this important project as we are supportive of the potential of cell therapy products to bring real benefits to those patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.”

The collaborative project, referred to as the REGENER-AR consortium, brings together 10 top-level research institutes, medical entities and biotechnology companies from Spain, France, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. The consortium has defined a clinical translational project with the aim of developing a broadly available, clinically applicable treatment for rheumatoid arthritis by exploiting human allogeneic mesenchymnal adult stem cells extracted from adipose tissue (eASCs).

Sistemic provides innovative miRNA-based products to the cell therapy, drug development and bioprocessing markets. The company’s pioneering approach enables companies to accelerate drug discovery and development programmes whilst reducing development risk. For further information visit: www.sistemic.co.uk

Sistemic is a registered trademark of Sistemic UK
SistemQC™ and kmiR™ are trademarks of Sistemic UK

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Growth at Sistemic Ltd due to success of unique miRNA analytical approach

28 June 2011: Sistemic, UK:  The success of the unique analytical approach brought to microRNA (miRNA) profiling technologies by Scottish-based, Sistemic Ltd., (Glasgow, UK) has led to sustained interest from the drug discovery and cell therapeutics markets. As a result the company has commenced an expansion programme which will see the addition of a number of key scientific and bioinformatic staff and a move to a larger dedicated facility near Glasgow, which will also form the company’s new global  headquarters. This will enable Sistemic to fulfil current contracts more rapidly as well as providing further capacity for newly acquired and future contracts. It will also support the company’s expansion of its key internal R&D programmes in drug toxicology and stem cell characterisation.

 The expansion programme will also see the company grow its US commercial operations developing its Boston location and opening an office in California. Commenting on the programme Mr Jim Reid, Sistemic Chairman and CEO said "We are delighted that things are going so well for the company especially when so many businesses are downsizing or finding life tough. It is a real endorsement of the unique technology we are developing and the customer-centric approach we take to our business.” Dr Verna McErlane, Director of Commercial Operations, added; "We are committed to global expansion and see the developments in the US as key to providing customers with local support and dedicated resources aimed at the world's largest market."

 As part of this expansion Sistemic has made a number of new appointments including two additions to its senior management team. Dr David Mallinson, who previously worked for Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD), joined the team on 1 May 2011 as a Senior Scientist and will lead new projects at the expanded facility. Dr Max Bylesjo, who previously worked for ALMAC group will join on 1 July 2011 as a Senior Bioinformatician and will focus on continuing the development of Sistemic’s unique data processing technology. The company is currently seeking additional staff in anticipation of continued growth.

The new Sistemic headquarters will dedicate 60% of its space to new laboratory facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and 40% as new commercial areas.

 Sistemic has developed unique analytical tools to enhance miRNA profiling turning it into a more versatile problem solving technology. Sistemic products include: SistemRNA™ (core enabling platform) , SistemQC™ (for cells, stem cells & cell therapy markets), SistemTOX™ (toxicity profiling) and SistemKB (knowledgebase profiling). Example  applications include screening of drug discovery lead compounds to determine whole cell response to various chemistries as well as cell characterization, QC monitoring, purity, potency and pluripotentcy assessment of cell lines.

 The company was founded in 2008 by a group of scientists including Professor Chris Hillier and Dr Vincent O’Brien (currently CSO) who identified a unique opportunity to utilise miRNA profiling, which forms their core IP. To date Sistemic has focused its efforts on championing miRNA methodology to solve problems in the biotechnology, cell therapeutics and drug discovery markets.

 Sistemic Ltd team members including Mr Jim Reid, Chairman and CEO and Dr Verna  McErlane, Director of Commercial Operations will be available on the Scottish Development International (SDI booth #1305) to provide information and advice at the BIO International Convention held at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, June 27-30th  2011. More information about the company’s products and services may be obtained at: www.sistemic.co.uk

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