Atelerix secures exclusive Middle East partnership deal to take hydrogel cell preservation technology to Saudi Arabia
Atelerix, the Newcastle-based biotech company specialising in non-cryogenic biological preservation, has announced a strategic partnership with JH Health Ltd, a Saudi Arabian medical and health technology company, granting JH Health exclusive rights to use and distribute Atelerix’s hydrogel-based cell and tissue preservation solutions across the Middle East.
The agreement marks a significant expansion of Atelerix’s commercial reach and forms part of a broader internationalisation strategy that already encompasses partnerships in China, Europe, and Africa.
Hydrogel encapsulation as an alternative to cryopreservation
At the core of the partnership is Atelerix’s proprietary hydrogel encapsulation technology, which physically embeds cells and tissues within a soft hydrogel matrix. This matrix stabilises membrane integrity and enables specimens to be stored and transported at ambient temperature for up to two weeks – removing the dependence on cold chain logistics and circumventing the viability losses frequently associated with conventional cryopreservation methods.
The technology addresses a well-recognised challenge in clinical laboratory practice and translational research: the reliable transport of viable, patient-derived biological samples across distances and jurisdictions where cold chain infrastructure may be inconsistent or prohibitively expensive.
Regulatory filings and regional manufacturing planned
Under the terms of the agreement, the partnership will prioritise enabling the stable transport of patient-derived biological samples for both clinical diagnostics and research applications. Plans also include the development of a new biobank within the region. Atelerix will lead regulatory submissions to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, supported locally by JH Health, and the agreement includes financial support and operational expertise for high-volume local manufacturing capabilities.
The partnership additionally opens access to investment opportunities from Saudi sovereign funds, which could support further scale-up of Atelerix’s hypothermic preservation platform.
Commercial and scientific implications for the region
The Middle East represents a rapidly growing life sciences and healthcare market, and the establishment of regional manufacturing and distribution infrastructure is expected to improve access to advanced biosample preservation tools for biomedical research institutions and clinical laboratories across the area.
Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix, commented: “By partnering with JH Health, we gain access to the deep market expertise and local support needed to establish our operations in the Middle East. Their strategic investment will enable us to build out our local manufacturing capabilities, ensuring we are equipped to deliver the future of biological transport logistics and meet the needs of the rapidly growing life science market in the region.”
Mohammed Al Jumah, CEO of JH Health, said: “We are delighted to establish a strategic partnership with Atelerix to bring advanced biosample preservation technologies to the Middle East. By combining Atelerix’s pioneering solutions with our regional expertise, this collaboration enhances access to advanced tools that support biomedical research, accelerate scientific discovery, and strengthen clinical development across the region, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.”
For clinical laboratory scientists, the development signals a broader shift towards ambient-temperature biological transport as a practical and scalable alternative to cryogenic methods – a transition with meaningful implications for diagnostic workflows, biobanking infrastructure, and international sample logistics.
For more information, visit: www.atelerix.com
Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix
Mohammed Al Jumah, CEO of JH Health
