BUILDERS ON SITE AT NEW LABS.
The building process for Magellan’s new laboratories at Braeside has commenced. The development will include two GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) laboratories. The factory/office complex is already complete and construction of Magellan laboratories has commenced.
The first lab to be completed will be the Research and Development laboratory which will enable Magellan Ph.D. lab staff to commence work on testing new cell manufacturing processes and to work with bioreactor technology.
This essential work will help prepare lab staff to manufacture the stem cells we will need for the Phase 3 trial. The work will also help staff to fine-tune ways to gain greater productivity and efficiency in the manufacture of cells. Work on the two GMP labs at the facility is due to start soon. We anticipate the completion of these laboratories in late September 2023.
MAGELLAN ASSESSES BIOREACTORS.
Magellan has begun the assessment of bioreactor technology regarding the culturing of large volumes of stem cells. The R and D culturing of stem cells will begin at the new laboratory at Braeside soon and continue this year.
We anticipate two GMP labs will also be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023. Magellan believes that large-scale 3D bioreactor technology will require less staff time per billion cells cultured compared to cell flask manufacture which is the technology currently being used by Magellan.
MAGELLAN TRAINING UPDATE.
Magellan and its collaborating partner Melbourne Stem Cell Centre Research are committed to best-training practices and have been investing in staff training and capabilities.
One of our senior nurses Lesley Ann Kelly at MSCCR has completed a postgraduate Certificate IV in training and assessment. This allows her to develop training packages, assess staff competencies and mentor new staff during orientation and onboarding.
STAFF COMPLETE TGA-APPROVED COURSES.
Magellan staff recently completed an intense Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) essentials program called GMP Uplift, which was provided by the Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence (CBE).The three-month program trains staff in the latest TGA-approved GMP practices. All staff successfully completed their courses.
MEET MAGELLAN’S CMO.
The head of Magellan’s Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board – Associate Professor Julien Freitag, MBBS, BMedSci – is also Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Magellan. Associate Professor Freitag is a leading musculoskeletal specialist and sport and exercise physician. As well as leading stem-cell research and patient treatment, he has published numerous articles on regenerative medicine in prestigious international medical journals.
“I am excited to hold the important role of Chief Medical Officer, which allows me to work more closely with Magellan staff and management to research and trial the treatments that will improve the lives of millions of osteoarthritis sufferers across the globe,” Associate Professor Freitag said.
MAGELLAN APPOINTS A MEDIA RELATIONS FIRM.
Magellan has appointed Melbourne-based The Agenda Group (TAG) as its media relations consultancy.
TAG, is Melbourne’s leading government relations and communications firm. They work with governments and major international companies.
TAG managed the extensive national and international news coverage achieved by Melbourne Stem Cell Centre Research over the past number of years. Coverage included front-page newspaper stories, prime-time TV news bulletins, radio, and coverage in the specialist, sector, and overseas news outlets.
FROM THE CHAIR.
I am pleased to accept the role of Chair of Magellan Stem Cells. Magellan is in a great position and has the opportunity to gain significant funding to pursue the development of our allogeneic osteoarthritis stem cell solutions.
Having completed a successful allogeneic OA P1/2 trial, commenced the building of a state-of-the-art GMP laboratory in Melbourne, and achieved a satisfactory tranche one fundraising in 2022, the scene is set to work towards the Phase 3 pivotal allogeneic OA trial commencement early next year.
I look forward to assisting Magellan to reach our goals, which include improving the lives of millions of osteoarthritis sufferers here and across the world.
Yours sincerely
Lou Panaccio
Chair
Magellan Stem Cells
