Canadian biotechnology firm STEMCELL Technologies has acquired UK based company Cellular Highways Ltd from its parent company, TTP Group. The acquisition aims to bolster STEMCELL’s offerings in advanced cell processing technologies, particularly in the growing fields of cell and gene therapy.
Cellular Highways, located near Cambridge, England, specializes in cell sorting technologies. At the center of the acquisition is the company’s Highway1 instrument, which utilizes VACS™ (Vortex-Actuated Cell Sorting), a proprietary technique that sorts cells using microfluidic vortices rather than traditional droplet or electrostatic methods. This approach is designed to handle fragile cells more gently, a key requirement in clinical and research applications.
The Highway1 system, launched in 2024, has been marketed as a GMP-ready instrument intended to meet regulatory standards for therapeutic development. It is expected to complement STEMCELL’s existing portfolio, which includes products for cell isolation and culture. The company says it will continue supporting current Highway1 users through its technical support teams.
Executives from all three involved organizations highlighted the deal as a strategic move. Dr. Allen Eaves, President and CEO of STEMCELL, described the acquisition as a step forward in the company’s focus on tools for therapeutic discovery and development. Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Jones of Cellular Highways expressed optimism that STEMCELL’s global reach would allow broader access to the Highway1 technology.
TTP Group CEO Dr. Sam Hyde framed the deal as a validation of TTP’s model of incubating and commercializing emerging technologies, suggesting that the transaction reflects the broader market’s demand for scalable, clinical-grade research tools.
STEMCELL Technologies, based in Vancouver, is Canada’s largest biotechnology company and supplies over 2,500 products to the life sciences sector. TTP Group, founded in 1987, operates across multiple scientific and industrial domains, and is known for spinning out startups such as Cellular Highways.