Cellular therapies are an important area of research for biotech companies, but it’s not the easiest time to secure investment, and many of these new technologies are a long way from producing their own revenue. At least one company is finding alternative ways to keep income flowing while still pushing forward (https://longevity.technology/news/overcoming-the-perfect-storm-in-regenerative-medicine/).
Celularity is an expert in longevity science using cellular therapy. In particular, it specializes in using cells from the human postpartum placenta. These cells have been used as candidates for treating various autoimmune and degenerative conditions, many of which are associated with age. They’ve also been used in orthopedic treatments and regenerative aesthetics.
For a while, it seemed like this kind of research was leading the market. Now, however, the proliferation of similar companies, lack of clear routes to commercialization, and general increase in risk aversion has caused a slowdown, especially in early developmental stages. This means companies that can afford to keep running need to change their approach, perhaps by consolidating for greater efficiency.
For Celularity, maintaining viability has been possible because it’s not just developing new cellular therapies. Its focus on postpartum placentas as a raw material has allowed a more diverse platform, and selling its biomaterials in strong economies like those in the Middle East can help fund the research and development arm. Its first purchase order was worth $45 million, and the total for 2023 in the Middle East alone is projected to be $80 million.
This doesn’t mean that Celularity is abandoning its previous work. CEO Dr. Robert Hariri still hopes that a targeted CAR-T approach like the one already used to treat cancer can be rolled out for autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Key aims for Celularity include improving muscle strength and quality to counter sarcopenia (age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass).
We’ve all seen older people become frailer, losing muscle tone and function to the point where they can no longer carry out everyday tasks. This is a major contributor to a variety of age-related conditions, including the chronic, neurological kind. Early preclinical trials suggested that Celularity’s placental cells could improve the quality of muscle tissue, countering this deterioration. The first stages in clinical trials supported this.
Placental cells for cellular therapy are showing a lot of promise in longevity medicine, so it’s important for companies to find ways to fund and further develop their research.
