{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"116702","rtpr_id":"nGNX1T9T3x","ticker":"AVAI","exchange":"OTC","all_tickers":["AVAI"],"title":"Avaí Bio and Austrianova Announce Research Collaboration with San Raffaele Hospital to Advance Encapsulated Cell Therapy for Diabetes ","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-12T12:30:00.219Z","article_body":"LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avaí Bio, Inc. (OTCQB:\nAVAI) (“Avaí” or the “Company”) and Austrianova, its joint venture\npartner in Insulinova, today announced that Insulinova has entered into a\nResearch and Option Agreement with Ospedale San Raffaele S.r.l. (OSR), a\nleading European biomedical research institution, to collaborate on the\ndevelopment of an encapsulated cell therapy for the treatment of Type 1 and\ninsulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. \n\nOSR, located in Milan, Italy, is internationally recognized for its leadership\nin diabetes research, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology. The\ncollaborative research program will be led by Professor Lorenzo Piemonti, Head\nof the Regenerative Medicine and Transplant Unit, Director of the Diabetes\nResearch Institute at OSR, and Associate Professor of Endocrinology at\nVita-Salute San Raffaele University, together with Dr. Valeria Sordi, Head of\nthe Beta Cell Differentiation Unit, whose pioneering work in beta cell\nreplacement has helped position OSR among the world’s leading centers for\ndiabetes research. \n\nThe collaboration combines three complementary strengths: OSR’s expertise in\ndeveloping stem cell-derived insulin-producing beta cells, Austrianova’s\nCell-in-a-Box(®) encapsulation technology, and Insulinova’s mission to\nadvance these technologies toward commercial cell therapies for diabetes. \n\nUnder the agreement, Insulinova will collaborate with OSR to evaluate the\ncombination of stem cell-derived beta cells with Insulinova’s proprietary\ncell encapsulation platform, based on Austrianova’s Cell-in-a-Box(®)\ntechnology. The objective is to evaluate whether encapsulation can support\nbeta cell survival and function while providing immune protection, with the\nlong-term goal of reducing or potentially avoiding the need for systemic\nimmunosuppression. \n\nInsulinova will provide full funding for the research program, supply its\nproprietary encapsulation equipment, specialized encapsulation materials,\ntechnical expertise, and scientific support. OSR will contribute its expertise\nin stem cell differentiation and beta cell replacement, research personnel,\nand laboratory facilities. \n\n“Stem cell-derived beta cells represent a promising approach to restoring\ninsulin production in people with diabetes, but protecting transplanted cells\nfrom immune-mediated damage remains a major challenge,” said Dr. Valeria\nSordi.  “This collaboration will allow us to investigate whether the\nCell-in-a-Box(®) encapsulation platform can provide a suitable environment\nfor stem cell-derived beta cells while preserving their viability and\nfunction. We look forward to evaluating the potential of this approach as part\nof the broader effort to develop safe and effective beta cell replacement\ntherapies.” \n\nChris Winter, Chief Executive Officer of Avaí Bio, added, “This agreement\nrepresents a significant milestone in the advancement of our diabetes program.\nBy bringing together OSR’s internationally recognized expertise in stem\ncells and beta cell replacement with the technologies and capabilities of our\njoint venture, Insulinova, we have established a strong framework to advance\nthis program toward commercialization. Just as importantly, the agreement\npositions Insulinova to further develop innovation arising from this\ncollaboration and advance the development of potential new cell therapies for\ndiabetes.”\n\n“Cell-in-a-Box(®) was developed to overcome one of the fundamental\nchallenges in cell therapy—protecting therapeutic cells while allowing them\nto function normally,” said Dr. Brian Salmons, Chief Executive Officer of\nAustrianova. “Combining that technology with OSR’s expertise in producing\nstem cell-derived beta cells creates an exciting opportunity to develop a\nnext-generation therapy for diabetes. We believe this collaboration highlights\nthe strength of Insulinova’s platform and its potential to bring meaningful\ninnovation to patients.” \n\nAbout Avaí Bio, Inc. \n\nAvaí Bio, Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company focused on identifying\ngenetically modified cell lines, and through joint venture and licensing\nagreements developing innovative cell-based therapies. \n\nAbout Austrianova (SGAustria Pte. Ltd.) \n\nAustrianova, based in Singapore, is a leading biotechnology company\nspecializing in cell encapsulation, GMP-grade cell products, and cell line\ndevelopment, backed by over 50 peer-reviewed publications and partnerships\nwith global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. \n\nAbout Ospedale San Raffaele \n\nSan Raffaele Hospital, part of the San Donato Group, is a university hospital\nand internationally renowned research institute with highly specialized\nexpertise in the diagnosis and treatment of several major diseases. Founded in\n1971 and recognized in 1972 as a Scientific Institute for Research,\nHospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), it serves as a Highly Specialized\nEmergency Center (E.A.S.) and as the teaching hospital of Vita-Salute San\nRaffaele University. \n\nThe IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital is accredited by the Italian National Health\nService and offers more than 60 clinical specialties. Its multidisciplinary\norganization, state-of-the-art technology, and the continuous integration of\nscientific research, education, and clinical practice have enabled the\ninstitution to achieve outstanding results over the years, placing it at the\ntop of the Italian rankings for scientific productivity and establishing it as\na leading reference center in Europe and worldwide for the study and treatment\nof numerous diseases, as well as for the development of innovative\ntherapies. \n\nMore information about OSR can be found at www.hsr.it \n\nMore information about Avaí Bio can be found at https://www.avaibio.com  \n\nYou can also follow us on social media at: \n\nhttps://x.com/AvaiBio \n\nhttps://www.facebook.com/AvaiBio \n\nForward-Looking Statements \n\nCertain statements contained in this press release may constitute\n“forward-looking statements.”  Forward-looking statements provide current\nexpectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any\nstatement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. \nActual results may differ materially from those indicated by such\nforward-looking statements because of various important factors as disclosed\nin our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their\nwebsite (http://www.sec.gov).  In addition to these factors, actual future\nperformance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more\ngeneral factors including (without limitation) general industry and market\nconditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public\npolicy changes, the Company’s ability to raise capital on acceptable terms,\nif at all, the Company’s successful development of its products and the\nintegration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the\nCompany’s products.  The forward-looking statements included in this press\nrelease represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and\nthese views could change.  However, while the Company may elect to update\nthese forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company\nspecifically disclaims any obligation to do so.  These forward-looking\nstatements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of\nany date after the date of the press release. \n\nAvaí Bio, Inc. \ninfo@avaibio.com \n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6ae5c45-cfbf-4474-b122-6bfd28d3b10f)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX1T9T3x","title":"Avaí Bio and Austrianova Announce Research Collaboration with San Raffaele Hospital to Advance Encapsulated Cell Therapy for Diabetes ","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"AVAI","created":"2026-08-12T12:30:00.219Z","tickers":["AVAI"],"exchange":"OTC","article_body":"LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avaí Bio, Inc. (OTCQB:\nAVAI) (“Avaí” or the “Company”) and Austrianova, its joint venture\npartner in Insulinova, today announced that Insulinova has entered into a\nResearch and Option Agreement with Ospedale San Raffaele S.r.l. (OSR), a\nleading European biomedical research institution, to collaborate on the\ndevelopment of an encapsulated cell therapy for the treatment of Type 1 and\ninsulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. \n\nOSR, located in Milan, Italy, is internationally recognized for its leadership\nin diabetes research, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology. The\ncollaborative research program will be led by Professor Lorenzo Piemonti, Head\nof the Regenerative Medicine and Transplant Unit, Director of the Diabetes\nResearch Institute at OSR, and Associate Professor of Endocrinology at\nVita-Salute San Raffaele University, together with Dr. Valeria Sordi, Head of\nthe Beta Cell Differentiation Unit, whose pioneering work in beta cell\nreplacement has helped position OSR among the world’s leading centers for\ndiabetes research. \n\nThe collaboration combines three complementary strengths: OSR’s expertise in\ndeveloping stem cell-derived insulin-producing beta cells, Austrianova’s\nCell-in-a-Box(®) encapsulation technology, and Insulinova’s mission to\nadvance these technologies toward commercial cell therapies for diabetes. \n\nUnder the agreement, Insulinova will collaborate with OSR to evaluate the\ncombination of stem cell-derived beta cells with Insulinova’s proprietary\ncell encapsulation platform, based on Austrianova’s Cell-in-a-Box(®)\ntechnology. The objective is to evaluate whether encapsulation can support\nbeta cell survival and function while providing immune protection, with the\nlong-term goal of reducing or potentially avoiding the need for systemic\nimmunosuppression. \n\nInsulinova will provide full funding for the research program, supply its\nproprietary encapsulation equipment, specialized encapsulation materials,\ntechnical expertise, and scientific support. OSR will contribute its expertise\nin stem cell differentiation and beta cell replacement, research personnel,\nand laboratory facilities. \n\n“Stem cell-derived beta cells represent a promising approach to restoring\ninsulin production in people with diabetes, but protecting transplanted cells\nfrom immune-mediated damage remains a major challenge,” said Dr. Valeria\nSordi.  “This collaboration will allow us to investigate whether the\nCell-in-a-Box(®) encapsulation platform can provide a suitable environment\nfor stem cell-derived beta cells while preserving their viability and\nfunction. We look forward to evaluating the potential of this approach as part\nof the broader effort to develop safe and effective beta cell replacement\ntherapies.” \n\nChris Winter, Chief Executive Officer of Avaí Bio, added, “This agreement\nrepresents a significant milestone in the advancement of our diabetes program.\nBy bringing together OSR’s internationally recognized expertise in stem\ncells and beta cell replacement with the technologies and capabilities of our\njoint venture, Insulinova, we have established a strong framework to advance\nthis program toward commercialization. Just as importantly, the agreement\npositions Insulinova to further develop innovation arising from this\ncollaboration and advance the development of potential new cell therapies for\ndiabetes.”\n\n“Cell-in-a-Box(®) was developed to overcome one of the fundamental\nchallenges in cell therapy—protecting therapeutic cells while allowing them\nto function normally,” said Dr. Brian Salmons, Chief Executive Officer of\nAustrianova. “Combining that technology with OSR’s expertise in producing\nstem cell-derived beta cells creates an exciting opportunity to develop a\nnext-generation therapy for diabetes. We believe this collaboration highlights\nthe strength of Insulinova’s platform and its potential to bring meaningful\ninnovation to patients.” \n\nAbout Avaí Bio, Inc. \n\nAvaí Bio, Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company focused on identifying\ngenetically modified cell lines, and through joint venture and licensing\nagreements developing innovative cell-based therapies. \n\nAbout Austrianova (SGAustria Pte. Ltd.) \n\nAustrianova, based in Singapore, is a leading biotechnology company\nspecializing in cell encapsulation, GMP-grade cell products, and cell line\ndevelopment, backed by over 50 peer-reviewed publications and partnerships\nwith global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. \n\nAbout Ospedale San Raffaele \n\nSan Raffaele Hospital, part of the San Donato Group, is a university hospital\nand internationally renowned research institute with highly specialized\nexpertise in the diagnosis and treatment of several major diseases. Founded in\n1971 and recognized in 1972 as a Scientific Institute for Research,\nHospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), it serves as a Highly Specialized\nEmergency Center (E.A.S.) and as the teaching hospital of Vita-Salute San\nRaffaele University. \n\nThe IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital is accredited by the Italian National Health\nService and offers more than 60 clinical specialties. Its multidisciplinary\norganization, state-of-the-art technology, and the continuous integration of\nscientific research, education, and clinical practice have enabled the\ninstitution to achieve outstanding results over the years, placing it at the\ntop of the Italian rankings for scientific productivity and establishing it as\na leading reference center in Europe and worldwide for the study and treatment\nof numerous diseases, as well as for the development of innovative\ntherapies. \n\nMore information about OSR can be found at www.hsr.it \n\nMore information about Avaí Bio can be found at https://www.avaibio.com  \n\nYou can also follow us on social media at: \n\nhttps://x.com/AvaiBio \n\nhttps://www.facebook.com/AvaiBio \n\nForward-Looking Statements \n\nCertain statements contained in this press release may constitute\n“forward-looking statements.”  Forward-looking statements provide current\nexpectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any\nstatement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. \nActual results may differ materially from those indicated by such\nforward-looking statements because of various important factors as disclosed\nin our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their\nwebsite (http://www.sec.gov).  In addition to these factors, actual future\nperformance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more\ngeneral factors including (without limitation) general industry and market\nconditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public\npolicy changes, the Company’s ability to raise capital on acceptable terms,\nif at all, the Company’s successful development of its products and the\nintegration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the\nCompany’s products.  The forward-looking statements included in this press\nrelease represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and\nthese views could change.  However, while the Company may elect to update\nthese forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company\nspecifically disclaims any obligation to do so.  These forward-looking\nstatements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of\nany date after the date of the press release. \n\nAvaí Bio, Inc. \ninfo@avaibio.com \n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6ae5c45-cfbf-4474-b122-6bfd28d3b10f)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-12T12:30:00.309771987Z","server_sent_at_ms":1786537800309},"received_at":"2026-08-12T12:30:00.383Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/12/3343647/0/en/avaí-bio-and-austrianova-announce-research-collaboration-with-san-raffaele-hospital-to-advance-encapsulated-cell-therapy-for-diabetes.html"},"analysis":{"id":"105706","press_release_id":"116702","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Biotechnology","sector":"Health 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Medicine and Transplant Unit, OSR"},{"name":"Dr. Valeria Sordi","role":"Head of Beta Cell Differentiation Unit, OSR"},{"name":"Chris Winter","role":"Chief Executive Officer, Avaí Bio"},{"name":"Dr. Brian Salmons","role":"Chief Executive Officer, Austrianova"}],"products":["Cell-in-a-Box(®)"],"companies":[{"name":"Avaí Bio, Inc.","ticker":"AVAI"},{"name":"Austrianova","relationship":"joint venture partner"},{"name":"Insulinova","relationship":"joint venture"},{"name":"Ospedale San Raffaele S.r.l.","relationship":"research partner"},{"name":"San Donato Group","relationship":"parent organization of partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-08-12T15:12:30.798Z","global_importance":15,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"research-collaboration","sectorWeight":"biotech"}},"durationMs":685321,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}