CellPro, Corixa forge lymphocyte research collaboration and licensing agreement.SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 1996--CellPro Incorporated (Nasdaq:CPRO CPRO Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization CPRO Connecticut Peer Review Organization, Inc. ) announced today that it had signed a technology-based, multi-year research collaboration and licensing agreement with Corixa Corporation, a newly formed Seattle-based biotechnology company. The research collaboration calls for CellPro to provide funding for a new research program to identify and optimize methods and conditions for the growth of, and activation, or stimulation of tumor-antigen-specific lymphocytes Lymphocytes Small white blood cells that bear the major responsibility for carrying out the activities of the immune system; they number about 1 trillion. (white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies ) and other antigen-presenting cells outside of the body (ex vivo ex vivo /ex vi·vo/ (eks´ ve´vo) outside the living body; denoting removal of an organ (e.g., the kidney) for reparative surgery, after which it is returned to the original site. ) for use in treating cancer. The program objective is to develop commercial products that combine CellPro's ex vivo cell-separation and cell-culture technology with Corixa's knowledge and access to proprietary tumor antigens, antigen delivery systems and adjuvants. Under the agreement, CellPro receives exclusive world wide rights to all ex vivo therapy ex vivo therapy Molecular medicine A therapy in which cells or genes are modified out of the body and reintroduced into a person with a genetic disease. See Gene therapy. applications arising from Corixa's technology within the field of oncology. CellPro will be responsible for the clinical development and commercial introduction of any products resulting from this agreement. CellPro will provide Corixa with research funding and will make additional milestone and royalty payments based on the successful development and commercialization of these products. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. CellPro President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Richard D. Murdock stated: "We believe Corixa's technology to be state of the art in the area of antigen discovery and presentation to the immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. . The combination of CellPro's cell-separation technology and cell-culture expertise with Corixa's technology should lead to the discovery of exciting new cell therapies for oncology." Corixa President and CEO Steven Gillis said: "We are very pleased to be working with another of the Seattle area's leading biotechnology companies. CellPro is the world leader in cell selection and cell therapy with products already on the market, and manufacturing capacity on stream. We look forward to a very productive collaboration." CellPro, Incorporated is a Bothell, Washington biotechnology company that develops, manufactures and markets proprietary, continuous-flow, cell-selection systems for therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. Corixa Corporation is a privately held Seattle-based biotechnology company whose goal is to discover and develop new vaccines for use in oncology and infectious disease Infectious disease A pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. settings. -0- CellPro, Incorporated 22215 26th Avenue SE Bothell, Washington 98021 206/485-7644 206/485-4787 Fax CONTACT: CellPro Lee M. Parker, 206/485-7644 or Corixa Mark McDade, 206/667-5717 |
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