TecSalud will develop a protocol for cell therapy against COVID-19

TecSalud and a Korean company for research and development of cell therapy processes, NovocellBio, joined forces to transfer technology and develop an effective cell therapy against SarS-CoV2.

Both institutions signed a collaboration agreement to start the NK (natural killer) immune cell culture protocol. The Korean laboratory will provide the basic knowledge for culturing these cells and TecSalud the clinical expertise for the application of the therapy to patients.

“Our company innovates in immunology. Now, with the help of TecSalud and our collaboration with them we are going to carry out tests with people, which will help us in the development and implementation of this project”, mentioned Soh Jin Il, President of NovocellBio.

For his part, Guillermo Torre, leader of TecSalud and Vice President of Research at Tec de Monterrey, commented: “Having projects like this one based on cell therapy and putting ideas into practice is very important because of the impact on health that can be achieved. I’m glad they’re here with us.”

 

The effectiveness of NK cells against COVID-19 will be measured

NovocellBio has its own technology for the processing and expansion of NK cells, which will be obtained from the patients recruited under TecSalud’s clinical protocol.

“It consists of an autologous cell transplant process where the patient’s NK cells are obtained from their blood, isolated, processed and are re-infused into their blood to validate its effectiveness against COVID-19”, said Vanessa Aguilar, the TecSalud’s Coordinator of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

For his part, Servando Cardona, TecSalud's National Director of Clinical Research reiterated: “NK cells represent the first barrier of the immune system, even before antibodies against the virus are formed.

There is evidence of the efficacy of NK cells in vitro, however, there are some centers that are conducting this type of research, in this case, it will be a fairly innovative treatment, especially since it has been done in cancer and now it will be something new to the be about COVID-19”.

To achieve this, TecSalud will design the clinical research protocol and everything else it entails, such as the submission of the protocol to national regulatory bodies and conducting the clinical study in eight patients.

To achieve this, TecSalud will design the clinical research protocol and everything else it entails, such as the submission of the protocol to national regulatory bodies and conducting the clinical study in eight patients.

"These companies have a strong expertise in engineering, processes, and in vitro studies, according to Marco Rito Palomares, National Director of Investigation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TecSalud, which is why “they sought collaboration with TecSalud for a translational investigation.”

Cooperation will extend for 5 years

TecSalud will collaborate on the development of this therapy for the next five years.

A specialized team of professionals will be appointed, as well as medical equipment and infrastructure. This, with the intention of leading the way for collaboration for the commercialization of the NK cell processing technology as well as derived therapies and products.

“Everything is going to be done here in Mexico, they will share the know how with us so we can apply it to the clinical practice, it will be a very important exchange of knowledge and experience,” Vanessa Aguilar pointed out.

“In the last year, TecSalud has been characterized by seeking alternatives against the effects of COVID-19. To date, we have several clinical research studies, some already approved by the health authority and others are in process. With this alliance we will advance in the race against this disease”, added Torre Amione.

“Through this collaboration I want to say that we are very sure we can save and change the lives of many people. With all the studies we have done we can save millions of people.

"We are very sure we can save and change the lives of many people": President of NovocellBio, Soh, Jin Il

“Collaborating with TecSalud drives us because we will be able to do this physically and they will help us achieve those results so that the world community knows that health will once again be preserved”, concluded the President of NovocellBio, Soh, Jin Il.

ALSO READ