ThermoGenesis, a supplier of products for processing and storing adult stem cells, has signed a non-exclusive distribution agreement with GE Healthcare for its Res-Q 60 BMC (Res-Q), a device used to prepare cell concentrates, including stem cells, from bone marrow.
The new agreement lays foundation for extending bone marrow offering into new indications. The agreement, which excludes orthopedic indications in the US, is the fifth new distribution agreement and the second new agreement with GE Healthcare the company has completed in calendar 2010.
Reportedly, in January, ThermoGenesis had signed an enhanced distribution agreement with GE Healthcare for its AXP AutoXpress (AXP) System, used to process stem cells from cord blood, in a number of regions throughout the world.
ThermoGenesis said that the Res-Q60 System, introduced in mid-2009, enables preparation of cell concentrates from bone marrow aspirate at the intra-operative point of care or in a laboratory setting in a easy to use procedure.
Under the practice of medicine, its initial applications have been in the US orthopedic market through a distribution agreement with Celling Technologies, a subsidiary of SpineSmith. In February, the company filed a form 510(k) with the FDA seeking market clearance for the use of its Res-Q System in the preparation of platelet rich plasma, or PRP, from peripheral blood, which is used to enhance wound healing.
Konstantin Fiedler, general manager of cell technologies at GE Healthcare, said: “Our sales team is very excited to add the Res-Q technology to GE Healthcare’s suite of Cell Therapy products. It further strengthens and complements GE Healthcare’s comprehensive portfolio of offerings in therapy-enabling cell technologies.”
Melville Engle, chief executive officer of ThermoGenesis, said: “This new agreement with GE Healthcare represents a major milestone in our bone marrow strategy.
“We believe they can leverage their strong presence in markets such as cardiology to expand the use of our Res-Q System beyond orthopedics and into indications where the use of stem cells as therapy is growing. We are also pleased to be expanding our relationship with such an industry leader as GE Healthcare.”