Aastrom, ATEK Medical Form Partnership

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. has formed a strategic deal with ATEK Medical.

Under the manufacturing and development partnership, ATEK will supply key components and technology for use in Aastrom’s cell manufacturing process, according to a joint news released provided by the companies. The new collaboration expands upon a previous supply deal between the two firms.

“Aastrom develops new, proprietary cell technologies to treat severe cardiovascular diseases,”Dave Mabie, ATEKMedical’s vice president of business development, said in a prepared statement. “Their development programs and automated cell manufacturing system require components that meet the highest standards of cGMP and FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] compliance. Our technology expertise and manufacturing experience for regulated products make us an ideal partner to support the technology needs of their advanced development programs.”

Based inAnn Arbor, Mich., Aastrom develops expanded autologous cellular therapies that are based on bone marrow samples. Cell therapies developed through its automated, proprietary cell-manufacturing system are given back to patients to regrow damaged tissues.

Aastrom President and CEOTim Mayleben said ATEK’s manufacturing expertise will help his firm advance its cardiovascular programs and treatment therapies.

“ATEK has an outstanding track record in leveraging its technology expertise to produce high-quality components and medical devices and to improve and upgrade procedures used in the manufacture and processing of novel therapies,”Mayleben noted. “We expect that this collaboration will be a critical advantage for Aastrom as we move our cardiovascular programs into the final stages of clinical development. We are also very pleased to be joining with another Michigan-based company in this collaboration. We believe that this partnership will result in the creation of high-paying jobs in Michigan.”

Founded in 1979, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based ATEK Medical offers full-service manufacturing services for the medical, disposable, electro-mechanical and implantable device markets.