Newcells Biotech collaborates with consortium in Eurostars funded project to advance novel therapy for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency

The Eurostars grant of €1.2m will support the partners, led by Gain, and includes Newcells, the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (Lausanne) and the University of Helsinki.  Newcells will be using its expertise in MPS in vitro cell models to build innovative linked models of the liver and lung as a screening assay system to test the efficacy and safety of Gain’s novel therapies.

AAT deficiency is a debilitating disease caused by mutations in the SERAPINA1 gene and is estimated to effect 1 in 1,500 to 3,500 people with European ancestry, although the prevalence maybe higher as many people are likely to be undiagnosed.  The disease causes lung and liver disease which can be seen in infants and in adults that develop lung disease this can occur between the ages of 25 and 50.