Atelerix, a UK-based biotechnology company specializing in hydrogel encapsulation technology, has entered into a strategic partnership with South Africa-based Rodon Global to transform biomedical logistics through cryo-free preservation solutions. The memorandum of understanding integrates Atelerix's pioneering non-cryogenic cell preservation technology into Rodon's freight and logistics services for drug discovery and clinical trials.
Revolutionary Hydrogel Technology Addresses Cold-Chain Bottlenecks
Atelerix's patented hydrogel technology directly tackles cryologistic bottlenecks by stabilizing membrane integrity and preserving biological function of cells and other biological substances during transport. The innovation allows samples to remain in a ready-to-use state at ambient temperatures for up to two weeks, significantly reducing waste and energy consumption while simplifying shipping and handling protocols.
The technology is optimized for a broad range of biological materials including whole blood, primary cells, plated cell models, organoids, tissues, and viruses. This versatility makes it particularly valuable for cell and gene therapy manufacturing, where it offers a flexible solution for preservation across the full workflow.
Global Expansion Strategy
The collaboration comes at a pivotal time as Rodon actively expands operations across the United States, UK, South Africa, and Singapore. Through the initial agreement, Rodon will begin offering Atelerix's portfolio of hypothermic preservation solutions to customers, providing new options to enhance efficiency across biomedical research and therapeutic development workflows.
This partnership follows Atelerix's recent appointment of MineBio as its exclusive distributor in China, further extending the company's global network of logistics partners to deliver a cryo-free, cost-efficient transport solution worldwide.
Industry Impact and Market Positioning
Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix, emphasized the growing market demand: "The global demand for inexpensive, efficient solutions for storage and transport of biological substances is continually increasing, leading to an urgent unmet need for innovative solutions, which our experienced team can provide. Working alongside Rodon and our network of global distributors, we are expanding our reach to include the booming South African life science sector, catapulting adoption of our unique technologies in the region, and beyond."
Leonard Neil Lazarus, CEO of Rodon Global, highlighted the transformative potential: "Atelerix's innovative approach to cell preservation will revolutionise biological transport worldwide, overcoming supply chain challenges associated with temperature sensitive materials, particularly in the drug discovery and clinical research sectors. This partnership represents a significant milestone and differentiator for Rodon, allowing us to overcome these challenges and continue to scale, supporting our life science customers to develop and manufacture novel therapeutics."
Showcasing Innovation at Industry Events
The partnership will be showcased at the South African Clinical Research Association (SACRA) conference in Pretoria on October 1-2, 2025, demonstrating the collaboration's potential to the regional life sciences community. This platform will highlight how the integration of Atelerix's unique cryo-free preservation products within Rodon's dynamic logistics offering significantly broadens access to safe shipping and storage solutions for temperature-sensitive biomaterials without freezing.
