A.C.T. Holdings

Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), which operated as A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. during its transition to a public entity in 2005, was a pioneering biotechnology company in the field of regenerative medicine. The company was renowned for its groundbreaking research in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and was among the first to receive FDA clearance for clinical trials using hESC-derived therapies. Its primary focus was on ophthalmology, specifically using retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells to treat degenerative vision loss conditions such as Stargardt’s macular dystrophy and dry age-related macular degeneration. In 2014, the company rebranded as Ocata Therapeutics to reflect its focus on clinical-stage regenerative medicine. Ocata was subsequently acquired by Astellas Pharma in 2016 for approximately $379 million, forming the core of Astellas' global regenerative medicine strategy.