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'Ground-breaking' cell and gene therapy launched on Island 

Ballasalla company claims it can cure some disorders

A Ballasalla company is preparing to manufacture a ‘ground-breaking’ product - which it claims can cure some genetic disorders.

Astrea Bioseperations, which has been on Island for more than three decades, is creating a cell and gene therapy solution.

It’s launching a purification tool – Nereus LentiHERO lentiviral vector (LVV) - that can be used by the pharmaceutical industry to support the development of next-generation therapeutics.  

Incorporating AstreAdept, the company’s trademarked nanofiber material, it is one of many products manufactured in the Isle of Man which are used in world-wide healthcare settings.

Chief executive Terry Pizzie said: "Not only do we believe that the innovative development of AstreAdept is a game-changer but the launch sets the stage for a future where cutting-edge therapies can be accessed by patients in need more than ever before.

"In the last five years we have heavily invested in our manufacturing facilities in the Isle of Man, enabling us to provide a significant increase in production scale.

"Our approach was to rapidly develop and incorporate this material into the Nereus LentiHERO, a simple, fit-for-purpose device that radically transforms how lentivirus can be purified.

"This will stand us in good stead to maximise AstreAdept’s full potential and is the ideal location to develop a set of uniquely designed products."

Operations Director Chris Brown told Manx Radio just one dose could have a big impact:

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