BeCytes opens new laboratory to accelerate the production of in vitro cellular models
University of Barcelona spin-off, BeCytes Biotechnologies, opens a new laboratory in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) with the aim of boosting its international growth. The biotechnology company focuses its activity on the management of the production of in vitro liver and lung models, used in biomedical research as an alternative to the use of animals in experimental studies. The new facilities will expand the production capacity of human primary cells for the international biomedical and pharmaceutical industry, contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies and personalised models for research.
The launch of this new laboratory coincides with the company’s 10th anniversary, which in the last two years has exceeded €1 million in total revenues, and represents a decisive step towards its R&D activity’s opening new lines of research in other types of tissue. Led by Jordi Xapellí Mias (CEO) and Estephan Arredondo (CTO), for a decade the company has been focused on the development of cellular models in vitro that faithfully mimic the conditions of human liver and lung tissue.
“The growth of the in vitro liver model market and the confidence of researchers, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, has driven us to expand our production capabilities and resources. In addition, we have made a quantitative leap, which has forced us to increase our workforce threefold and to invest additional resources to meet this new demand,” said CEO Jordi Xapellí Mias.
Founded in 2015, the biotech company was the brainchild of a group of scientists in the field of cell therapy, such as Jordi Alberch and Josep M. Canales, from Creatio, the Production and Validation Centre for Advanced Therapies at the University of Barcelona (UB), as well as experts in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, Martí Manyalich, Eduard Xapell Sampol and Estephan Arredondo.