Cryoport, Inc. to Supply Opexa’s MS and NMO Immunotherapy Studies with Cryogenic Logistics Solutions

Cryoport, Inc., a leader in providing advanced cryogenic logistics solutions for the life sciences industry, has just announced it will be supplying Opexa Therapeutics’ lead personalized T-cell immunotherapy research initiatives for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica (“NMO”).

Opexa’s breakthrough immunotherapy drug platform has shown the potential to improve the lives of the millions of people who suffer from some form of autoimmune disorder. According to estimates from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, over 2.3 million people worldwide are living with multiple sclerosis. According to The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, approximately 4,000 people in the United States  and about 500,000 worldwide have NMO.

Cryoport will be providing Opexa and its clinical sites the necessary cryogenics logistics support through the company’s international distribution network.

Neil Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opexa, commented, “We are pleased to be entering into this partnership with Cryoport and their best-in-class logistics solutions to ensure efficient and safe delivery of our T-cell products to clinical trial sites, and ultimately, to the patients. Cryoport, as with all our partners, plays an important role in the conduct and management of our clinical programs.”

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Jerrell Shelton, Chief Executive Officer of Cryoport, stated, “We are honored to support Opexa in their efforts to develop cutting edge immunotherapy treatments for the significant, unmet need of patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica. Working with Opexa to help advance their clinical programs is indeed exciting. We look forward to providing them with our superior service and offerings to help them move closer to managing these debilitating diseases.”

In other recent multiple sclerosis news, MMJ PhytoTech, a drug development company working on cannabinoid-based therapies, plans to initiate clinical studies of new capsule formulations derived from cannabis for the treatment of MS later this year. Their phase 1, safety-oriented clinical studies have been approved by various ethics committees and public health organizations. The company has been actively investigating a new capsule that offers many advantages over smokeable cannabinoid formulations, as oral administration is much more controllable and user-friendly. Furthermore, the company is confident that their capsules can withstand room temperature storage for extended periods of time. In this way, the need for refrigeration is eliminated resulting in lower shipping and storage costs.