BRIEF—Aspen Neuroscience expands manufacturing capabilities

Aspen Neuroscience, a private biotechnology company specializing in autologous cell therapies, has announced the opening of a major new facility near its headquarters in San Diego.

The facility is designed for the production of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived therapies, including the company’s lead product, ANPD001, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Chief executive Damien McDevitt said the site would: “help accelerate the manufacture of patient-specific cell lines for our ASPIRO trial patients in California and across the USA."

Aspen’s technology involves reprogramming a patient's skin cells into iPSCs, which are then developed into dopaminergic neuronal precursor cells for personalized therapy.

The company has been supported by grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.