With a focus on the treatment of medical conditions where there is significant unmet clinical need, Athersys (NASDAQ:ATHX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel and proprietary best-in-class therapies designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. Fairly SBIR-active in earlier years - though still SBIR eligible (re. size) firm has not recently been as involved. The firm is developing MultiStem®, a patented, adult-derived off-the-shelf stem cell product platform for multiple disease indications in the areas of inflammatory, immune, neurological, and cardiovascular disease. The company also develops orally active pharmaceutical products for the treatment of obesity and certain central nervous system disorders, including narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, and chronic fatigue, as well as other potential indications consisting of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other cognitive disorders, including schizophrenia. It has product co-development collaboration with Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the potential application of MultiStem in multiple cardiovascular indications, including myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, and certain other indications. In addition, the company has a collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize MutiStem for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Athersys has forged a network of strategic alliances and collaborations with leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research and clinical institutions, in the United States and Europe, as well as five clinical stage programs in inflammatory bowel disease, stroke, graft-versus-host disease, acute myocardial infarction and solid organ transplant, to further develop its platform and products.
