Atelerix a UK-based start-up company that has developed a method for transporting human cells at room temperature by encapsulating them in an alginate gel has collaborated with The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI).

Atelerix is a spin-out from Newcastle University in the UK, is commercialising the transformative technology for the storage and transport of viable cells, including stem cells, for a wide range of uses in human healthcare.

It overcomes the problems presented by the current need for cryo-shipping as it is simple, cell-friendly and user-friendly, and offers immediate access to cell therapies.

The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is the largest eye care network in India. It is a not-for-profit, comprehensive eye care institution committed to delivering high-quality treatment and care for patients, embracing all socio-economic backgrounds.

At present, however, they can only treat patients in Hyderabad where the clinic is physically situated close to the eye bank from which they isolate the cells and culture the cells in their cGMP facility.

As things stand, the shelf life of those isolated cells is 6-8 hours making it impossible to transport the cells to their other regional centres across India or to their multiple smaller centres that would otherwise carry out the procedure.

The companies have agreed outline commercial terms for the treatment, once it is approved by the regulatory authorities, and a successful launch made, it could result in the restoration of sight for thousands of people.

From the purely commercial perspective, this collaborative venture could generate up to £2-3M per year for the UK-based company, depending on the successful uptake of the treatment across Asia, and lead to the creation of up to 10 new jobs at its laboratories in the north-east of England.