Vet-Stem, Inc., has announced that a license agreement with the University of California has been completed which secures Vet-Stem’s exclusive rights to stem cells derived from fat for veterinary use.

The veterinary rights for stem cells from fat were originally shared between the University of California and Pittsburg University. A license agreement with Artecel Inc, the licensee of Pittsburg University, provided Vet-Stem with the original license for use of the regenerative cells. With the addition of the license from the University of California, Vet-Stem now has exclusive rights for veterinary use which improves the company’s intellectual property position in this rapidly developing field.

As the first company in the world to offer fat derived stem cell services for veterinary use, Vet-Stem has rapidly developed the market, treating more than 1,500 horses and dogs. The company moved to solidify its intellectual property position prior to commercial introduction of stem cell services to the multi-billion dollar canine market.

“Intellectual property rights can be confusing in a rapidly developing market with evolving technology,” said Bob Harman, DVM, MPVM, CEO of Vet-Stem. “We needed to do everything possible to protect the market that we are creating in regenerative veterinary medicine and to ensure that the value of the company is optimized.  The value of this technology has increased greatly since the founding of the company in 2002 as the business model, therapeutic activity of the cells, and ease of tissue collection have all been demonstrated. We did not want to create a market and provide an opportunity for a potential competitor