Canada’s largest biotechnology company this week announced the acquisition of an advanced cell sorting technologies firm based out of the United Kingdom.
Vancouver’s STEMCELL Technologies acquired Cambridge’s Cellular Highways from TTP Group, an independent technology company founded in 1987 where scientists and engineers collaborate to invent, design, and engineer breakthrough technologies and products.
Cellular Highways specializes in cell sorting technologies with applications in cell and gene therapy, drug discovery, and other cell research.
The acquisition includes the “revolutionary” Highway1 instrument, which uses Cellular’s proprietary Vortex-Actuated Cell Sorting technology.
VACS gently and precisely sorts cells and enables high-speed cell sorting in a closed, sterile system through micro-fluidic vortices. This enables researchers and cell therapy developers to process cells more efficiently while maintaining high cell integrity for sensitive applications in research and therapeutic development.
“Since entering the market in 2024, Highway1 has proven to be the fastest GMP-ready cell sorter available and is designed and manufactured under ISO 13485 certification,” noted Allen Eaves, chief executive officer of STEMCELL.
“We are pleased to welcome this powerful instrument, along with the entire Cellular Highways platform, to STEMCELL’s portfolio of advanced cell processing instruments,” he stated.
STEMCELL is a member of the BC Tech Association.
BC Tech is the largest member-led technology non-profit in British Columbia, and we’re dedicated to turning startups and scaleups into the anchor companies of tomorrow. Our work supports members to grow and diversify their talent pool, acquire new customers, access capital and accelerate their scaleup journey. Technology is a key industry for BC’s future and builds resiliency in every industry. Today, every company is a tech company. Join now.
“With this new complement to our existing cell isolation and culture product lines, we look forward to further supporting scientists with the tools they need to accelerate innovation in the development of life-changing cell and gene therapies,” the CEO continued.
An “enhanced ability to support cutting-edge research and biomanufacturing workflows” will enable STEMCELL to “continue to help the scientific community advance research and make discoveries with greater speed and accuracy,” said Eaves.
STEMCELL’s global reach “will help introduce Highway1 to even more labs around the world,” remarked Alex Jones on behalf of Cellular Highways.
Last year, the B.C. firm collaborated with Genome BC and the University of British Columbia to accelerate stem cell research.
STEMCELL Technologies was launched in the 90’s by BC Tech Hall of Famers Connie and Allen Eaves.
Leave a Reply