CellMed AG is a
BTG International group company
The CellBead Technology
The Biopolymer
Our core technology involves the proprietary purification and processing of a naturally derived biopolymer. The resulting ultrapure polymer product is used in aesthetic treatments, such as a delivery vehicle for cell therapies, and in combination with genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSC's), to create CellBeads™.
Our Biopolymer Platform has three properties that are essential for biomedical applications:
Biocompatibility
The polymer is not recognised by the host's immune system. It is non-toxic and non-immunogenic.
Stability
Beads formed from our biopolymer are stable for more than one year in vivo. As the polymer is degraded and naturally eliminated over time, the bead implants are non- permanent.
Functionality
Our Beads provide a three dimensional structure. When combined with MSC's in the CellBeads™ product, the biopolymer bead protects the encapsulated cells from the host's immune system. They are permeable to nutrients and oxygen, as well as by the therapeutic substances produced by the cells.
CellBeads
CellBeads are micro-implants. They contain mesenchymal stem cells designed to express therapeutic peptides or proteins. In many cases, these therapeutic peptides or proteins cannot be effectively delivered by the use of conventional drug delivery technology. The reasons for this might include inadequate protein half-life, excessive toxicity at a therapeutic dose or failure to pass the blood-brain barrier.
The problem cannot be overcome by simply transplanting allogenic cells which would express the selected protein, because they will be rejected by the host’s immune system. This can be avoided by continuous immune-suppression but this in turn is likely to cause significant complications to the patient. Encapsulation of cells in a biocompatible biomaterial is a powerful technology designed to overcome these issues.
The lead programme for our CellBead technology is CellBead® Neuro producing our proprietary and patented GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Protein-1).
Other programmes are in development.
