Press Releases

VetStem Biopharma Begins GMP Manufacturing of Stem Cells for Leading Human Cancer Therapy Company, Calidi Biotherapeutics

VetStem Biopharma has begun manufacturing adipose-derived stem cells for leading human cancer therapy company, Calidi Biotherapeutics.

2019-09-04 --

As announced in July, VetStem Biopharma has joined forces with leading human cancer therapy company, Calidi Biotherapeutics, to collaborate on a potential new cancer treatment. In a patented process, Calidi has discovered how to utilize adipose derived stem cells as a “Trojan horse” to deliver their promising oncolytic virus therapy. Calidi announced last week that the collection of adipose tissue from healthy human donors is complete, thus initiating the next phase of stem cell manufacturing at VetStem’s GMP cell manufacturing facility in Poway, California.

VetStem CEO, Dr. Bob Harman stated, “After fifteen years of processing stem cells for animals, moving into the human field seemed only logical. We began working with Calidi two years ago to combine their cutting-edge research with our extensive experience in stem cell manufacturing. This collaboration may prove to be a game-changer in the human medical field and we are proud to partner with Calidi to help bring this potential cancer therapy to market.”

VetStem has long been a leader in veterinary stem cell therapy with clinical, regulatory and manufacturing experience. As a result of a two-year research collaboration with Calidi, VetStem has signed a worldwide license and development agreement to commercialize the Calidi oncolytic virus platform in veterinary medicine. VetStem should be able to fast-track this cancer therapy for use in dogs due to the advanced stage of its own canine adipose stem cell program.