Exacis Biotherapeutics Inc., a development-stage immuno-oncology company working to harness the immune system to cure cancer, has initiated a strategic partnership with Toronto-based Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) for specialty manufacturing services related to the development of Exacis’ innovative, iPSC-derived mRNA-engineered NK cell products to treat cancer. 
 
The partnership also includes a cash investment into Exacis by CCRM Enterprises Holdings Ltd., the for-profit venture investment arm of CCRM, which will be used to fund operations. 
 
Exacis CEO Gregory Fiore, MD, commented, “We welcome CCRM as a key partner to allow us to rapidly advance our virus-free manufacturing processes to make novel NK cell products that are engineered for performance and to avoid rejection. CCRM is a recognized leader in iPSC-derived cell therapy development and manufacturing and we are thrilled to have them as a partner. Their confidence in Exacis is evidenced by the accompanying investment, by CCRM Enterprises Holdings Ltd., underscoring the unique value proposition offered by Exacis’ differentiated platform and approach to cell therapies. We look forward to partnering with CCRM’s CDMO experts to apply our mRNA based technologies to develop best-in-class products to treat challenging hematologic and solid tumors.”
 
Cynthia Lavoie, PhD, president and CIO of CCRM Enterprises Inc. added, “We are pleased to support Exacis by way of an investment, and with our sector expertise and specialized infrastructure. This is a successful model that we have employed in the past to support promising technologies and together we will develop leading cell therapy products that utilize the substantial potential of the Exacis platform as it advances its iPSC-derived cell programs.”