On March 17, 2021 FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc., a leading global developer and manufacturer of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) technologies, and Sana Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: SANA), a company focused on creating and delivering engineered cells as medicines, reported that Sana has been granted a non-exclusive right to use FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics’ iPSC platform for the development of commercial cell therapies (Press release, Sana Biotechnology, MAR 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234584002]). As a treatment modality, cell therapies have the potential to augment, repair, or replace human biology, including organs, tissues and cells.

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Under the agreement, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics grants Sana a non-exclusive license under intellectual property rights owned or controlled by FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, and will provide iPSC cell lines (including research-grade and/or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-grade iPSC lines) to Sana. Sana may use the iPSC cell lines, and exercise the licensed intellectual property rights, for the research and development, and with respect to GMP-grade cell lines, clinical and commercial manufacture, and commercialization, of cell therapies derived from such lines. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics is a leading global player in the field of iPSCs. Our history in manufacturing iPSCs for research-purposes has provided us with the foundational expertise to manufacture quality GMP-grade iPSC lines," said Takeshi Yamamoto, chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics. "Sana is developing a broad and compelling pipeline of iPSC-derived cellular therapies, and we are pleased to grant them the rights to our iPSC platform with a vision of providing more treatment options for patients."

"Sana is committed to the development of engineered cells as medicines that can be manufactured at scale and supplied to patients globally," said Stacey Ma, executive vice president, technical operations, Sana. "FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics is a long-standing innovative leader in this field, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to combine their expertise in GMP-grade iPSC cell lines with our investment in differentiating and manufacturing cells at scale for patients across a number of diseases."