StemEx is being tested in Phase III trials against leukemia and lymphoma.
Gamida Cell will use a number of cytokines from Amgen to manufacture StemEx for its pivotal registration study and subsequent commercialization. The product is being developed for hematological malignancies by Gamida Cell in a joint venture with Teva Pharmaceutical.
Under the terms of the nonexclusive license agreement, Amgen will receive a minority equity interest in Gamida Cell in addition to royalties from sales related to hematological indications.
StemEx is composed of ex vivo expanded cord blood stem/progenitor cells that are transplanted with nonexpanded cells from the same unit. In November 2007, the first patient enrolled in the international, multicenter trial, underwent a StemEx transplant.
