STEMCELL Technologies, Canada's largest biotechnology company, has acquired Cellular Highways Ltd from TTP Group Ltd in a strategic move to expand its cell therapy manufacturing capabilities. The Cambridge, UK-based biotechnology company specializes in advanced cell sorting technologies with applications in cell and gene therapy, drug discovery, and general cell research, particularly for fragile cell populations.
Revolutionary Cell Sorting Technology
The acquisition centers on Cellular Highways' proprietary VACS (Vortex-Actuated Cell Sorting) technology, integrated into the Highway1 instrument. This innovative system enables high-speed cell sorting in a closed, sterile environment through microfluidic vortices, representing a significant advancement over traditional methods.
"VACS uniquely avoids traditional non-sterile droplet-based and electrostatic sorting methods, which can degrade cell health and viability," according to the company announcement. The technology gently and precisely sorts cells while maintaining high cell integrity for sensitive applications in research and therapeutic development.
Market-Leading Performance
Since entering the market in 2024, Highway1 has established itself as the fastest GMP-ready cell sorter available. The instrument is designed and manufactured under ISO 13485 certification, meeting the stringent requirements for therapeutic development applications.
"Since entering the market in 2024, Highway1 has proven to be the fastest GMP-ready cell sorter available and is designed and manufactured under ISO 13485 certification," said Dr. Allen Eaves, President and CEO of STEMCELL Technologies. "We are pleased to welcome this powerful instrument, along with the entire Cellular Highways platform, to STEMCELL's portfolio of advanced cell processing instruments."
Strategic Alignment with Cell Therapy Growth
The acquisition aligns with STEMCELL's strategic expansion in the rapidly growing cell therapy space. The company aims to support cutting-edge research and biomanufacturing workflows, enabling researchers and cell therapy developers to process cells more efficiently while significantly reducing timelines and costs for research and development.
"With this new complement to our existing cell isolation and culture product lines, we look forward to further supporting scientists with the tools they need to accelerate innovation in the development of life-changing cell and gene therapies," Dr. Eaves added.
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
The acquisition demonstrates the growing importance of advanced cell processing technologies in therapeutic development. Dr. Sam Hyde, CEO of TTP Group, emphasized the significance of the deal: "The acquisition is a testament to Cellular Highways' exceptional team and innovation. With STEMCELL's reputation and global reach, it is ideally positioned to thrive in the rapidly growing research and cell therapy manufacturing markets."
Current Highway1 customers will continue to receive technical support from STEMCELL's dedicated team of Product and Scientific Support specialists, ensuring continuity of service during the transition.
Dr. Alex Jones, speaking on behalf of Cellular Highways, expressed confidence in the partnership: "Cellular Highways customers are in great hands with STEMCELL—a major player in the global biotechnology industry with a stellar reputation for its best-in-class products and customer service. With STEMCELL's global reach, we are excited that this acquisition will help introduce Highway1 to even more labs around the world."
The acquisition positions STEMCELL Technologies to better serve the scientific community with enhanced capabilities for cell therapy research and manufacturing, supporting the development of next-generation therapeutic approaches across multiple disease areas.
