Cellular Intelligence, a biotech firm supported by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has announced its acquisition of a cell therapy candidate for Parkinson's disease from Novo Nordisk. This move comes after Novo Nordisk shut down its cell therapy unit last October as part of a broader restructuring effort.
Details of the Acquisition:
- Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
- As part of the agreement, Novo Nordisk will take an equity stake in Cellular Intelligence.
- Future milestone payments and royalties may also be part of the arrangement.
The therapy, known as STEM-PD, is an allogeneic, stem cell-derived treatment aimed at replacing dopamine-producing nerve cells that are lost in Parkinson's disease, a progressive brain disorder characterized by tremors, stiffness, and slow movement.
Development Plans:
Cellular Intelligence plans to leverage its proprietary platform to accelerate the development of STEM-PD, enhance manufacturing processes, and lower costs. The data collected during this process will further refine the platform.
Cellular's CEO, Micha Breakstone, remarked on the significance of this acquisition, stating, "It marks the beginning of an AI-native era for cell replacement therapy, one where biology is no longer destiny, but design."
Current Status of the Therapy:
STEM-PD is currently undergoing early-to-mid stage trials and has received fast-track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is intended to expedite the review of therapies addressing serious conditions with unmet medical needs.
Funding Background:
Cellular Intelligence has successfully raised over $60 million from various investors, including Khosla Ventures and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which was founded by Zuckerberg.
