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news.genOway, a biotechnology company into the development of genetically modified animal models, has signed an agreement with the Griffith University (Brisbane, Australia) on a eight-months research partnership with its Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies focusing on autologous olfactory adult stem cells.
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Reportedly, the eight-month research program is coupled with an exclusive license to genOway for the rodent transgenic business. The research program aims at establishing germline transmission in rats using existing rat olfactory adult stem cells. The technology would provide a tool for rat models and certain mice strains, which remained unreachable using embryonic stem cells.
As per the terms of the agreement, both partners will each bear the cost of their R&D efforts and genOway is expected to have an exclusive license on the technologies for the creation and distribution of mouse and rat genetically modified models.
Nicholas Mathiou, director of Griffith Enterprise, technology commercialisation office at Griffith University, said: “This technology constitutes a leap forward this goal. We believe that genOway through its expertise and rich customers’ portfolio stands out as the best partner to develop and market this technology.”
Alexandre Fraichard, CEO of genOway, said: “We are very proud to acquire the exclusive license for such a technology. Collaborating with a stem cell laboratory is a very strong business opportunity for genOway.
“The major benefit is olfactory stem cells exist in all species paving the way for more predictable models. The first therapeutic areas to benefit from this would be neurosciences and oncology, but also pharmaco-toxicology studies. If the research program goes well, we anticipate first revenues as of 2011.”