As part of a pilot search for new medical breakthroughs, the partnership of King of Prussia-based plasma-based biotech company CSL Behring and the University City Science Center in Philadelphia has awarded $250,000, plus the opportunity to work alongside CSL Behring experts, to Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, Ph.D., of the University of Delaware, for his exploration of cell derived micro-particles and vesicles (MkMPs) for the treatment of thrombocytopenias and in stem-cell targeted gene therapies.

Papoutsakis is one of two researchers to receive the award, called the CSL Behring-Science Center Research Acceleration Initiative. The other, Cecelia Yates, Ph.D. of the University of Pittsburgh, uses biomimetic peptides as potential targeted therapeutic treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

This initiative is another example of the strength of our partnership with the Philadelphia-based University City Science Center as we look in our backyard for innovative scientific advancements that have the potential to help rare disease patients lead full lives, said Dr. Bill Mezzanotte, EVP and head of research and development for CSL Behring, in a press release. Our growing R&D organization looks forward to working with Dr. Yates and Dr. Papoutsakis in the years ahead to advance their scientific research.

The therapy that Dr. Papoutsakis is developing involves gene editing of stem cells that may potentially benefit to patients for a variety of genetic blood disorders such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

The CSL Behring Science Center Research Initiative is currently accepting applications from researchers in the region developing therapeutic biotechnologies in immunology, neurology, haematology, thrombosis, transplant, respiratory and cardiovascular/metabolic to receive one of up to three grants in 2020 of up to $400,000 each. The deadline is April 13.

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University of Delaware researcher receives $250K grant for new biotherapies - Technical.ly Brooklyn