Major Breakthrough! Living Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT) to use AI in research for Parkinson’s

Highlights

• LCT has marked a major leap in its groundbreaking research to combat Parkinson’s disease, which affects millions of people worldwide.
• The company is set to apply AI in NTCELL research to augment the quality of its third clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease.
• LCT has signed an agreement with OptiCellAI Pty to facilitate this AI research.

Living Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT), a biotechnology company, is set to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its pioneering research to fight Parkinson’s disease. The company has signed an agreement with Sydney-based start-up OptiCellAI Pty Ltd to facilitate joint research efforts.

Living Cell is engaged in the discovery and development of new treatments for debilitating conditions like diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. OptiCellAI Pty Ltd aims to apply artificial intelligence to medical biotechnology, including in vitro fertilisation.

With the latest development, the company is stepping toward a new phase in NTCELL research, intending to utilise AI to augment the quality of the third clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease.

Commenting on the development, LCT Executive Chairman, Professor Bernie Touch, said: “This is an exciting step in the manufacture of NTCELL. It introduces modern technology to ensure that the product released for clinical use will be of the highest standard, improving the prospects of a successful result. Additionally, it will introduce automation into the process, thereby speeding up the selection of the microcapsules to be implanted into each recipient.”

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What is NTCELL?

NTCELL is an alginate coated capsule that contains clusters of neonatal porcine choroid plexus cells. These cells are sourced from a unique herd of designated pathogen-free pigs bred from stock initially discovered in the remote sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands.

Choroid plexus cells are naturally occurring ‘support’ cells for the brain. These contain various elements that provide for nerve cell functions and protective enzymes that are critical for the healthy functioning and growth of nerve cells.

Salient features of the agreement

• Though OptiCellAI owns the core intellectual property of the device to be used, new intellectual property relating to the production of NTCELL will belong to LCT.
• Based on a number of milestones, the cost of engineering, software, and biological input for AI use in the manufacture of NTCELL is expected to be up to AU$360,000.

Image source: © 2022 Kalkine Media®, Data source: LCT update

Recently, the company also signed a research agreement with the University of Technology Sydney, enabling the production of NTCELL for the first time in Australia.

Also read: What is Australian govt doing to boost stem cell research?