CLEVELAND—Athersys Inc. and Nikon CeLL innovation Co. Ltd. (NCLi), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nikon Corp., have struck up a manufacturing services agreement for the commercial production in Japan of MultiStem, Athersys’ stem cell therapy, for ischemic stroke. Under this deal the companies will engage in technology transfer activities at NCLi’s Japan facility, and NCLi will initiate contract manufacturing support for commercial development of MultiStem in Japan. Healios K.K., Athersys’ collaborator, has an exclusive license to develop and market the product in Japan for ischemic stroke and its registrational clinical study is underway.

 

“We are excited about our new alliance with Nikon CeLL innovation, focused on establishing the manufacturing infrastructure that will enable us and Healios to achieve our goals in Japan. Nikon brings important capabilities to the partnership, including an extensive investment in facilities and technology. We and Healios agree that this puts us both in a strong position to achieve our goals,” said Dr. Gil Van Bokkelen, Athersys’ chairman and CEO.