Cellestis Ltd Changing the way the world looks at TB
Overview
Cellestis was formed in late 2000 to research, develop and market QuantiFERON® technology products for medical diagnosis and scientific research.
The QuantiFERON® technology is a patented whole blood method for detecting cell mediated immune (CMI) responses using whole blood samples.
Cellestis currently manufactures and markets four QuantiFERON® products - QuantiFERON® - CMI, the two fully CE marked and fully US FDA approved tuberculosis diagnostic tests, QuantiFERON® - TB Gold (which is also Korean FDA, and Japanese MHLW regulatory approved), and the QuantiFERON® - TB Gold "In-Tube" test (which is also Korean FDA regulatory approved), and a new test for detecting cytomegalovirus infection, QuantiFERON®-CMV.
Other products using the QuantiFERON® technology in viral and parasite disease diagnosis are currently under development.
Cellestis Limited is an Australian public company with operations in the United States (Cellestis Inc. located in Valencia, California) Germany (Cellestis GmbH), Japan (Cellestis Asia KK) and Australia (Cellestis International located in Melbourne, Victoria). Cellestis Ltd is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the code CST.
Competitive advantages
QuantiFERON® technology products are designed for use in medical diagnosis and scientific research. The QuantiFERON technology is a patented whole blood method for detecting cell mediated immune (CMI) responses using whole blood samples. This unique technology provides its users savings in time, labor and reagents compared to other methodologies of measuring CMI.
The QuantiFERON® technology is suitable for research, both small and large scale clinical testing in vaccine development, and is also applicable to the monitoring of CMI responses in a number of infectious diseases and medical conditions.
The QuantiFERON®- TB Gold "In tube" (QFT) assay, which uses TB specific antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10, and TB7.7, is a simple in-vitro diagnostic product that for the first time provides clinicians with a TB assay that is able to truly overcome the many, well documented limiting factors (BCG vaccination and NTM infection) associated with all current tests for TB. The patented "In-Tube" methodology further simplifies the process and provides a test for cell mediated immune function as robust and simple as a serological assay.
Partners
Cellestis currently has an extensive network of International Distribution partners.
Number of employees: 50
Main business focus/
Listing by sector:
- Medical Devices - In vitro diagnostic devices (IVD)
- Infectious Diseases
Competitive Advantages
QuantiFERON® technology products are designed for use in medical diagnosis and scientific research. The QuantiFERON technology is a patented whole blood method for detecting cell mediated immune (CMI) responses using whole blood samples. This unique technology provides its users savings in time, labor and reagents compared to other methodologies of measuring CMI.
The QuantiFERON® technology is suitable for research, both small and large scale clinical testing in vaccine development, and is also applicable to the monitoring of CMI responses in a number of infectious diseases and medical conditions.
The QuantiFERON®- TB Gold "In tube" assay, which uses TB specific antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10, and TB7.7, is a simple in-vitro diagnostic product that for the first time provides clinicians with a TB assay that is able to truly overcome the many, well documented limiting factors (BCG vaccination and NTM infection) associated with all current tests for TB. The patented "In-Tube" methodology further simplifies the process and provides a test for cell mediated immune function as robust and simple as a serological assay.
Technology/IP
The QuantiFERON® test takes advantage of the fact that individuals primed in vivo with exogenous or endogenous antigen have lymphocytes in their blood that maintain an immunological memory for the priming antigen. Addition of antigen in vitro to blood taken from primed individuals results in rapid re-stimulation of antigen-specific effector/memory T cells and the release of the cytokine Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) that is used as a specific marker for a cellular immune response mounted to the antigen (recall response).
Stimulation of effector/memory T cells in whole blood with specific antigen(s) or mitogen and subsequent quantification of IFN-gamma by a rapid, single-step ELISA forms the basis of the QuantiFERON® test.
Partnering Opportunities
Cellestis is interested in investigating business opportunities with companies that are involved in monitoring human immune function (Pharma and vaccine companies). We are also interested in forming partnerships with researchers and research groups who may have isolated specific antigens which have the potential to be used in a commercial research or diagnostic test.
Partnering Needs
Cellestis is interested in investigating business opportunities with companies that are involved in the sale and marketing of diagnostic kits within international markets (those outside of Australia).
Contact Details
| Contact person | George Dragovic |
|---|---|
| Job Title | International Sales & Marketing Manager |
| Address | Office Tower 2, Chadstone Centre, PO Box 169 |
| 1341 Dandenong Road, | |
| City/Suburb | Chadstone |
| State | Victoria |
| dragovic@cellestis.com | |
| Phone | +61 3 9571 3500 (ext 206) |
| Fax | +61 3 9568 6623 |
| Website | http://www.cellestis.com |
