# WideCells Group PLC Granted Innovate UK KTP for Stem Cell Research

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/widecells-group-plc-granted-innovate-uk-ktp-stem-cell-research/412747569
- Published: 2018-03-19T07:06:18+00:00
- Author: Giles Arbor

**WideCells Group PLC** (LON:WDC), the healthcare services company focused on providing
stem cell services and ground-breaking insurance for stem cell treatment, has today
announced that its 100% owned stem cell storage and research division, WideCells
Ltd, has been granted a government-backed Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership
with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to undertake research on a new form
of stem cell technology. As part of this three-year research project, Innovate UK
will provide £156,000 worth of funding towards a total project cost of £234,000.

The new technology allows specialised adult cells such as skin cells to be genetically
reprogrammed to assume a stem cell-like state and accordingly be used in stem cell
treatment and in the study of disease. These stem cells, known as induced pluripotent
stem cells (iPSCs), could revolutionise the stem cell industry by making stem cells,
and subsequently stem cell treatments, much more accessible. Following the research
project, WideCells hope to have advanced iPSCs to a point of commercialisation so
that the technology can be included in the Group’s end-to-end stem cell service 
offering.

Testament to the pioneering nature and potential value of the research project is
the support received from Innovate UK, a government-backed public body that is committed
to driving growth by working with companies to de-risk, enable and support innovation,
particularly science and technology developments that it believes will drive future
economic growth. Out of the 33 proposals that were chosen to be supported by Innovate
UK, WideCells and MMU’s project was ranked fifth. Innovate UK will provide £52,000
per annum in funding for the three-year project and WideCells Group will provide
£26,000 per annum.

A post-doctoral scientist will be employed and based in WideCells facilities in 
Manchester to carry out the research under the supervision of Professor Peter Hollands,
WideCells Group Chief Scientific Officer, who is a leading figure in the global 
stem cell industry, and Professor Tristan McKay from MMU.

> **WideCells Group CEO, João Andrade, said,** “The granting of this government-
> backed Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership is testament to the quality 
> of our research work and the leading role we’re playing in the stem cell industry.
> By supporting the continued development of the industry, we help to ensure that
> our end-to-end stem cell service, which includes our unique stem cell insurance
> product, Cellplan, remains relevant to the market.”

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