The collaboration, also supported by the Biologics Delivery Systems Group of Cordis Corporation, will focus on dosing, delivery and targeting of the ViaCell stem cells using Cordis’ NOGA delivery system. Centocor and Cordis are both subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson.
ViaCell will receive an initial upfront payment and the companies will share costs associated with the collaborative efforts. In addition, the agreement provides the Stem Cell Internal Venture with the first right to negotiate a collaboration with ViaCell on the clinical development and commercialization of a cardiac product based on the stem cell technology.
If the preclinical data support further development, ViaCell said that it expects to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in 2007.
“We are delighted to be working with Centocor to advance our cardiac cell therapy program,” stated Marc Beer, president and CEO of ViaCell. “Our goal is to demonstrate the ability to deliver ViaCell’s cells with the NOGA XP device in order to file an IND and move this program into clinical testing. We believe the commitment behind this program further supports the potential medical value of cord blood to treat cardiac diseases.”