Cellino, a pioneering biotechnology company focused on autonomous biomanufacturing for personalized regenerative medicine, has announced its strategic expansion into the Asia-Pacific region through a partnership with Karis Bio, a leading South Korean cell therapy biotech. This collaboration aims to industrialize the world’s first clinical-stage autologous induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapy for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD).
Advancing iPSC-Derived Cell Therapy
The collaboration will accelerate the development of Karis Bio’s groundbreaking autologous iPSC-derived endothelial cell (iPSC-EC) therapy, which is designed to generate new blood vessels in ischemic organs. Karis Bio’s first-in-human clinical study in South Korea uses patient-specific iPSCs to restore blood flow and repair damaged tissues in patients with PAD and CAD. This approach offers a revolutionary alternative to traditional invasive procedures like stents and bypass surgery while eliminating the risk of immune rejection, as the therapy is derived from the patient’s own cells.
Cellino’s Role in Scaling Production
Central to the collaboration is Cellino’s Nebula platform, which will enable the scalable, high-quality production of autologous iPSCs. The Nebula platform is a closed-cassette, advanced biomanufacturing system that combines AI-driven automation and robotics to produce cell therapies at the point of care. This system is designed to be both autonomous and deployable, ensuring robust, reproducible, and contamination-free production. Through this technology, Cellino will significantly accelerate Karis Bio’s path to commercial scale, supporting the industrialization of autologous iPSC manufacturing.
Global Expansion and Future Plans
This collaboration represents Cellino’s first expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, marking an important milestone in the company’s global vision to make autologous cell therapies more widely accessible. The partnership not only strengthens Cellino’s position in the regenerative medicine field but also underscores its commitment to advancing personalized medicine through innovative biomanufacturing solutions.
The initial phase of the collaboration focuses on industrializing iPSC manufacturing, with plans for Phase 2 trials in the US through Karis Bio USA, headquartered in Atlanta. As Cellino and Karis Bio work together to scale production, the companies are positioned to accelerate the development of personalized regenerative medicines for cardiovascular diseases, offering a promising alternative to current treatment options.
By integrating cutting-edge technology with AI-driven automation and high-throughput biomanufacturing, this collaboration has the potential to transform the landscape of regenerative medicine, bringing life-changing therapies to patients in need.
