SmiLe alumni members team up against COVID-19

SmiLe alumni members Cellevate and Redoxis continue their successful collaboration, this time focusing on the development of a 3D assay for assessing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. 

By combining Redoxis’ expertise in immunology with Cellevates’ next generation 3D cell culture systems based on nanomaterials the companies have created a 3D in-vitro model of a cytokine storm to help pharma companies test the effectiveness of anti-corona drugs. 

A cytokine storm, an uncontrolled innate immune response, is considered to be one of the major causes of death in COVID-19 patients. In the 3D in vitro model, using human whole blood, a massive cytokine release is experimentally induced in by activating the same pathways activated by invading pathogens. Culturing the cells in a 3D structure enables more predictive, reliable and translatable data to be generated, resulting in more clinical relevance.

In addition to being used for testing COVID-19 treatments, it also a great model to study how established compounds react in an immune system that is out of control. 

“With increasing knowledge of COVID-19, it is becoming more evident that an uncontrolled innate immune system is playing a big role in pathogenesis of disease. We are now offering a set of services ranging from in vitro to in vivo models for evaluation of novel and existing therapies in modulating cytokine storm, which is suggested to be involved in many inflammatory diseases including COVID-19 and sepsis. We are very happy about the intensified collaboration with Cellevate generating reliable and stable assays for evaluation of candidate therapies with the aim of reducing disease severity of COVID-19.", says Malin Hultqvist, CEO of Redoxis  

 "Working closely with Redoxis to further expand their portfolio with more physiologically relevant assays shows the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and how this can be translated into value for customers. The power of geographic proximity and community we find here at Medicon Village expresses itself in these extraordinary times, and we are incredibly happy to do our part in the efforts against COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic.", says Maximilian Ottosson CEO of Cellevate AB.

The close cooperation between Redoxis and Cellevate is a perfect example of the impact that SmiLe community can have in such challenging times. The dynamic environment encourages interaction with other life science companies, and alumni members not only share knowledge and expertise but often end up doing successful business with each other and in this case significant progress in the fight against COVID-19.

For more detailed information on in-vitro models of cytokine storms, click HERE.

 

For more information, contact: 
Malin Hultqvist, CEO of Redoxis, +46 707259565, malin.hultqvist@redoxis.com, 
or Maximilian Ottosson, +46 736333390, maximilian.ottosson@cellevate.com, 
or Ebba Fåhraeus, CEO of SmiLe Incubator +46 734000433, ebba@smileincubator.life

 

About Cellevate

Cellevate is an innovative biotech company that develops the next generation of cell culture systems to provide life science researchers with more realistic in-vitro models. They create highly porous and consistent networks of nanofibers through a patented manufacturing process. Cells in these networks are allowed to proliferate and interact with other cells in three dimensions (3D), in contrast to the monolayer cultures seen on conventional twodimensional (2D) surfaces. 

 

                                                

About Redoxis

Redoxis is a CRO with core expertise and focus on preclinical drug development and efficacy evaluation in models of autoimmune disease. With the roots in academic research we are continuously updating our portfolio of models and are connected to the latest immunology research. We take great pride in personal communication and commitment in our studies – for the benefit of your preclinical project.

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