NSCC and ESI strike stem cell accord

The National Stem Cell Centre has signed a collaboration agreement with Singapore-based ES Cell International (ESI) to develop new human embryonic stem cell-based treatments for diabetes and other diseases.

The agreement targets research being performed by Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development scientists Dr Andrew Elefanty and Dr Ed Stanley on controlling differentiation of embryonic stem cells into specific types of cells, such as pancreatic islet cells or blood cells.

The two researchers have worked closely with ESI for a number of years, with ESI providing funding to the lab. With the NSCC recently signing an agreement with Monash University to fund the Elefanty/Stanley research team, it was necessary to come to a suitable arrangement with ESI, said NSCC CEO Dr Hugh Niall.

Under the terms of the agreement, ESI will commercialise research outcomes relating to the company's core focus of diabetes, while the NSCC will have the rights to commercialise the technology for other diseases.

ESI CEO Robert Klupacs said the agreement also included access by NSCC researchers to some of ESI's existing human embryonic stem cell lines and other IP.

It's the second agreement the NSCC has made with a commercial company in the last couple of months. In June, the organisation announced its agreement with Melbourne IVF and Stem Cell Sciences to derive and distribute six new human embryonic stem cell lines for use by researchers.

"Part of our strategy is to develop relationships with key players in the stem cell field, both to make commercial alliances and also to leverage platform applications," Niall said.

Klupacs said he was very pleased to have come to an agreement with the NSCC, especially given the long-term ties between ESI and stem cell research at Monash University.

"We reckon the NSCC is a fantastic organisation ... we're really delighted that we have this relationship with them," he said.

ESI update

ESI is pushing ahead with its programs to grow islet cells and cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells, Klupacs said.

"Some of this is driven by -- let's be honest -- luck, but we believe we can be in clinical trials with either islet cells or cardiomyocytes by the end of 2006," he said. "It may not be achievable, but it's certainly feasible."

The company is also putting a lot of effort into the development of new GMP-quality human embryonic stem cell lines.

While ESI still has facilities in Melbourne, Klupacs said the company was gradually transferring all of its operations to Singapore.