Cognate BioServices and Astero Bio Corporation Announce Collaboration for Innovation and Development Center of Excellence in Memphis, TN

MEMPHIS, Tenn. and MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognate BioServices, Inc., a leading contract development and manufacturing organization ("CDMO") in the global cellular therapies industry, today announced a letter of intent for a collaboration with Astero Bio Corporation, a leader in the development of innovative tools for cryopreserved biologics, to increase the accessibility of automated cell thawing technologies. This collaboration will advance the development of life-saving therapeutics by improving overall product quality and reliability using Astero's advanced cell thawing platform.

Under the collaboration, Cognate will serve as a technology reference partner for Astero's AT6 Cell Thawing Platform allowing Cognate's clients to evaluate a significantly improved and reliable method of controlling thaw cycles within various stages of the product's lifecycle. Cognate's facilities would also be a beta site for new technologies and their use in relevant client processes.

Cognate is focused on raising the bar for quality standards of Cognate's clients' products through advances in unit-based automation. The results of this collaboration will enable Cognate's customers to automate and control the cell thawing experience that, until now, has not been possible. Without automation, the cell thawing process has had the potential to create undesirable variability in the final product. Astero's cell thawing technology platforms provide a consistent process, yet the units are portable meaning they can also be used remotely at the site of administration.

"Astero's advanced cell thawing platform for precise thawing of cellular therapeutics is both state-of-the-art and unique, and Cognate is excited to be a center of excellence for both our prospective and current clients. One of our goals as a CDMO is to help improve safety and reliability of products administered in the clinic, and we are happy to be working with Astero to deliver on this goal." -J. Kelly Ganjei, CEO and Chairman, Cognate BioServices

Samuel Kent, Astero's Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Astero welcomes the opportunity to work with a CDMO organization of Cognate's caliber and is proud to contribute to Cognate's mission to provide additional value-added products and services to clients. Cognate's expertise and commitment to service combined with Astero's technology can accelerate the access of the automated cell thawing platform to solve the manufacturing challenges the customers face as they move into clinical manufacturing."

Both Astero Bio and Cognate BioServices will be attending and exhibiting at the Phacilitate Leaders World Conference this week in Miami. For more information about Astero's products, please stop by Booth #201 and visit Cognate BioServices at Booth #306

About Cognate BioServices 
Cognate BioServices is a fully-integrated contract bioservices organization providing the highest level of scientific and management expertise. Cognate provides full development and cGMP manufacturing services to companies and institutions engaged in the development and manufacture of cell-based products. The combination of highly experienced staff, successful track records and cGMP facilities make Cognate one of the most qualified contract manufacturers of cell-based products in the world today. Please visit www.cognatebioservices.com for more information.

About Astero Bio Corporation
Astero Bio Corporation is a leader in novel tools and technologies for life science research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and clinical applications. Astero specializes in the development and commercialization of next-generation tools to aid in multiple stages of the lifecycles of biologics. Astero's ThawSTAR^® Automated Cell Thawing Systems are designed to replace uncontrolled and highly variable manual methods, de-risking the therapeutic cell thawing process and optimizing cell efficacy. An industry first, ThawSTAR systems optimize cell thawing using a customizable algorithm for each unique cell therapy product and protocol. These systems, combined with Astero's ultra-low temperature cold storage and transport solutions, advance the physical management of biologics by providing safe, controlled and scalable processing of temperature-sensitive samples and products. For more information, please visit www.asterobio.com.

Media Contacts:
Cognate BioServices  
Corporate Communications
[email protected]
901-541-9800

Astero Bio 
Corporate Communications
[email protected]
Maria Thompson, 619-722-0970

SOURCE Cognate BioServices

Related Links

http://www.cognatebioservices.com