Invetech and Caladrius Biosciences Receive 2017 Good Design Award® for Design of a Counterflow Centrifuge Device for use in the Development of Cell Therapies

SAN DIEGO, and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Invetech, a global leader in instrument development, custom automation and contract manufacturing, in collaboration with Caladrius Biosciences (Nasdaq: CLBS), a cell therapy company with a select therapeutic development pipeline focused on immune modulation, today announced that they have been jointly named recipients of a 2017 Good Design Award^®. The Counterflow Centrifuge Device (CFC) was selected as best in category for medical and scientific product design.

In presenting the award to Invetech and Caladrius Biosciences, the jury commented, "The combination of a centrifuge and counterflow represents a significant breakthrough that will greatly enhance the ability of the cell therapy industry in developing new therapies for the treatment of cancers and other illnesses. This is a very comprehensive technology solution."

The CFC is a unique platform that enables cell therapy developers to wash and concentrate cells in a closed environment. It was designed for incorporation into Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) equipment as a key element in commercial manufacture of cell therapies. The CFC is designed for use in multiple stages of both research and production for concentration/volume reduction, cell washing, media exchange, particle depletion, and short-term incubation.

"We are very pleased to be selected for this design award, as it underscores our leadership role in cell therapy development. As a technology that combines multiple operations into one automated platform, the CFC provides flexible, more efficient processes to enhance the manufacture of autologous and other patient-specific products in a cost-effective manner," said David J. Mazzo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caladrius Biosciences. "This award acknowledges the unique design of the CFC and its capacity to enable researchers and clinicians to more efficiently develop and manufacture new cell-based therapies."

The CFC consists of an instrumentation platform, a novel disposable flow path, and operating and application software for automated execution of user-selected protocols. The CFC platform provides a flexible small-scale process suitable for GMP manufacturing of autologous and other patient-specific products where small-scale is full-scale, while also supporting efficient development of processes at lower cost prior to transitioning to scaled volumes.

"We collaborated with Caladrius Biosciences on the development of the CFC platform to enable them and other cell therapy companies to undertake process development on production representative equipment and disposables earlier in their clinical trials," said Richard Grant, Global Vice President, Cell Therapy at Invetech. "We have succeeded in developing a platform washing technology that is not only gentle on cells and maximizes cell yield at high viability, but is also a foundation technology enabling companies to build their manufacturing process. We are thrilled to be recognized by the Good Design judging panel and to have received this coveted award for design and innovation."

About Invetech
Invetech has been creating breakthrough products and custom automation systems for more than 30 years. With experience drawn from more than 5,000 projects globally, Invetech partners with global leaders in industry to deliver product design and development, contract manufacturing and custom automation services. The Company has experience in a broad range of market sectors including cell therapy production automation systems, laboratory diagnostics, point of care diagnostics, life sciences, industrial and consumer products. To learn more, visit http://www.invetech.us.

About Caladrius Biosciences
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. is a cell therapy development company with cell therapy products in development based on multiple technology platforms and targeting autoimmune and cardiology indications. The Company is investigating its lead product candidate, CLBS03, for the treatment of recent-onset type 1 diabetes in a currently enrolling Phase 2 trial. The Company's then subsidiary, PCT, which has recently been sold to Hitachi Chemical Co. America, Ltd., was integral to the conception and functionality of the award-winning device and is a well-known development and manufacturing partner exclusively focused on the cell therapy industry and has served over 100 clients since 1999. For more information on Caladrius please visit www.caladrius.com.

Caladrius Biosciences Contacts:
Investors:
LHA Investor Relations
Anne Marie Fields
Senior Vice President
Phone: +1-212-838-3777
Email: afields@lhai.com                   

Media:
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.
Terrance Beckett
Associate Manager, Communications and Marketing
Phone: +1-646-434-2681
Email: tbeckett@caladrius.com

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SOURCE Invetech