- I Peace and Vita Therapeutics will jointly develop universal iPS cells using gene editing for cell transplantation therapies.
- The resulting master cell bank (MCB) will be registered in the US FDA’s Drug Master File (DMF).
I Peace, Inc., a GMP-compliant CDMO specialising in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has entered into a collaboration with US-based Vita Therapeutics to co-develop universal iPS cell lines intended for use in allogeneic cell transplantation therapies.
The project will utilise I Peace’s GMP-grade iPS cells as a base, which will be genetically modified using Vita’s proprietary gene editing platform. The aim is to generate a hypoimmune iPS cell line by depleting key HLA genes that normally trigger immune rejection. These customised cell lines will be further processed in I Peace’s cGMP-certified facilities.
Under the agreement, I Peace will lead the generation of master cell banks (MCBs) for both unmodified and gene-edited cells. Vita Therapeutics will contribute the gene editing technologies required to produce universal iPSC-derived cells for therapeutic applications, initially focusing on facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
The MCBs created through this collaboration will be submitted to the FDA’s Drug Master File, enabling regulatory reference during clinical development. I Peace retains the rights to supply both standard and gene-edited MCBs, as well as differentiated cell products, for all therapeutic areas beyond Vita’s focus.
The development of universal iPS cells represents an effort to eliminate the need for HLA matching in transplantation. These hypoimmune cells are designed to reduce the risk of immune rejection, supporting broader use in allogeneic cell therapies.
