Ocata Therapeutics Inc. (OCAT), formerly Advanced Cell Technology Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of regenerative medicine therapies, primarily cell-based treatments for ophthalmic diseases using human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platforms; its core pipeline includes retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell therapies for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Stargardt's macular degeneration, and myopic macular degeneration. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the company targets unmet needs in ophthalmology through pluripotent stem cell-derived products that regenerate damaged retinal tissues. Ocata operates primarily in the United States with a focus on clinical trials and intellectual property in cell therapy research programs.
In February 2016, Astellas Pharma Inc. acquired Ocata for approximately $379 million through a tender offer at $8.50 per share, integrating its operations as the Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM), a wholly-owned subsidiary advancing Ocata's stem cell technologies. This acquisition established Astellas' leadership in regenerative ophthalmology and cell therapy, with Ocata's RPE programs evolving into ASP7317, a Phase I/II hESC-derived therapy for geographic atrophy secondary to AMD. Recent developments under AIRM include expansion into broader cell therapies for cancer (e.g., CAR-NK and CAR-T), autoimmune diseases, and vascular conditions, alongside a new manufacturing facility in Westborough, Massachusetts, opened in 2024 for clinical and commercial production.