Aastrom Biosciences Inc, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer deal

The companies will develop Aastrom's automated Cell Production System (CPS) for use in therapies involving lymphoid blood cells - which include B and T cells - for AIDS, cancer and other immune diseases. CPS is an automated closed culture system to stimuate the natural hematopoietic process of bone marrow cells.

RPR (Collegeville, Penn.) will have worldwide rights to use and sell CPS for the production, expansion or genetic manipulation of lymphoid cells in exchange for up to $25 million, including R&D, milestones and the purchase of equity. ...