ES Cell International and ITI Life Sciences Sign License Agreement for use of Stem Cell Technologies

ES Cell International Pte Ltd (ESI) and ITI Life Sciences have announced the signing of a non-exclusive Research Licence Agreement.

The licence involves two British patents granted to ESI that cover aspects of hES cell growth and differentiation and will form an important component of the £9.5 million Stem Cell Technologies R&D programme recently launched by ITI Life Sciences.

ESI’s CEO, Dr Alan Colman said “I am delighted to have signed our first agreement in the UK to use these useful technologies and expect more licences will follow as other UK users of the technology realise that these patents have now issued and are available for licensing.”

Dr Eleanor Mitchell, ITI Life Sciences’ acting CEO, said: "A core element of preparing ITI Life Sciences’ R&D programmes is to understand the intellectual property (IP) landscape and in-license all appropriate IP likely to affect the development of innovative technologies. The ITI then aims to bundle this IP with the technology created from the programme and out-license the bundle to commercial partners for the benefit of Scotland’s economy."

"ESI has established itself as a leading innovator in stem cell technologies, some of which will be essential to our recently launched stem cell R&D programme, and I am very pleased we have been able to secure this important licence," Dr Mitchell continued.