ORTEC PARTNERSHIP PRODUCES EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES

Ortec has announced its partner ES Cell International has produced the first human embryonic stem cell lines fit for trial.

The new cell lines were derived using feeder cells made by Ortec from viral-tested human cells rather than mouse cells. The cell lines' human origins render them useable for human clinical trials to develop stem-cell treatments, the company said.

Under the terms of a 2004 agreement between Ortec and ESI, Ortec received upfront payments for the use of its cell lines and will get additional milestone payments and royalties based on sales of products incorporating the cell lines.

Ortec said it is one of only a few companies that have secured approval from the FDA to use allogeneic cell lines -- or those derived from third-party donor cells -- for cell therapy.