Durham University will receive direct investments as part of the acquisition deal.
Reinnervate, a biotech spin-out of Durham University, has been acquired by Japan-based stem cell provider Reprocell for £2.5m ($3.15m).
Reinnervate, which commercialises 3D cell structures that help researchers mimic in vivo growth of cells with in vitro models. It has dubbed the technology Alvetex and has gathered some high profile clients: in 2015, the technology will be used on the International Space Station to run an experiment on growing bone cell structures in zero gravity. The company was founded by Stefan Przyborski, who has been serving as chief scientific officer and will stay on.
As part of the acquisition deal, Reprocell will also be investing in research facilities at Durham University and set up new research studentships.
Reprocell itself was originally set up in 2003 as a venture company by Tokyo and Kyoto universities.
Stefan Przyborski, founder and chief scientific officer at Reinnervate, said: “Reprocell’s acquisition of Reinnervate and BioServe makes us part of a large international business at the cutting edge of cell technology and stem cell science and with a global distribution network. This is great news for biomedical research, for Durham University, and for economic development in North East England.”
