EHSI negotiates potential option agreement with Regenetech for Rotary Cell Culture System

Dec 14 2010

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (PinkSheets:EHSI) is negotiating a potential option agreement with biotech firm Regenetech, Inc.

“Obtaining a proper license to perform cell expansion around the globe is an important step in that process. We anticipate coming to terms with Regenetech very soon.”

An option would allow EHSI to conduct due diligence toward a definitive agreement with Regenetech in exchange for funding. That potential agreement centers around the use of the Rotary Cell Culture System^TM, a rotating-wall bioreactor originally designed to facilitate the growth of human cells in simulated weightlessness. Cell cultures, including stem cells, grown inside the bioreactor look and function much closer to human cells grown within the body than cell cultures grown in Petri dishes.

The device was developed by NASA and acquired by Regenetech, a company that owns the license to use the bioreactor to multiply stem cells. EHSI is interested in acquiring a license from Regenetech to use the cell culture system, facilitating partnerships with research centers worldwide. Stem cell expansion is essential to EHSI biotech division Celulas Genetica's adult stem-cell research, including its latest endeavor to develop a new medical process known as the Rutherford Procedure.

"EHSI and Celulas Genetica are committed to developing new cures and treatments using revolutionary new stem cell therapies such as the Rutherford Procedure," said EHSI President and CEO Cindy Morrissey. "Obtaining a proper license to perform cell expansion around the globe is an important step in that process. We anticipate coming to terms with Regenetech very soon."

The Rutherford Procedure is a groundbreaking organ regeneration treatment being developed to utilize proton-beam technology to destroy diseased organ tissue for regeneration using adult stem cells. During the procedure, proton therapy will be used to destroy scar-tissue cells in the liver using high-energy proton beams, a non-invasive treatment proven to minimize damage to healthy tissues and to eliminate the side effects (including nausea) of traditional radiation therapy.

As the scar tissue is systematically destroyed by the proton therapy, a catheter will deliver the patient's own cultured stem cells directly to his or her liver through the bloodstream. As more and more diseased tissue is destroyed, these cultured stem cells could help regenerate the patient's damaged, cirrhotic liver into a healthy, functioning organ once more.

EHSI invests in technology developed to compete in the stem-cell research industry alongside Cephalon, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEPH), Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) and Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB).