Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPS Cells) - Content Archive

STEMCELL Technologies Partners with IMBA to Commercialize Brain Organoids
(‘Mini Brains’) for Researchers

April 15, 2016 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

In major news released today, STEMCELL Technologies announced that it has partnered with the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) in Vienna, Austria, to develop products for cerebral organoid culture for researchers worldwide.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, STEMCELL Technologies is a diversified provider of stem cell research products. The company is known for utilizing strategic alliances to grow its dominance within the stem cell field. Current partnerships of STEMCELL Technologies include a licensing deal with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), iPS Academia Japan Inc., Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, and more.

To learn more, read the full press release released by STEMCELL Technologies, printed with permission from Sam Lloyd-Burton, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Neural and Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, at STEMCELL Technologies.

[Read more…]

Major Announcements in Stem Cell Sector – Cynata, Gamida Cell, Pluristem, Universal Cells, and More

April 14, 2016 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

Suffice it to say, it has been a banner week in the world of stem cells. In this rapidly-changing market environment, it can be difficult to keep up with current events. To help you out, we’ve released new content on stem cell markets that we are excited to share with you. Let me know what you think! [Read more…]

European Bank for iPS Cells Launches Cells for Disease Modelling and Preclinical Research

April 13, 2016 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President 1 Comment

Recently the European Bank for induced pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC) announced the launch of its on-line catalogue of iPSCs for use in disease modeling and pre-clinical research. The cell lines were created and deposited by EBiSC partner labs and a broad range of external organisations.

Upcoming efforts will introduce to the bank a large number of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease lines, as well as lines for diabetes, cardiovascular research, muscular dystrophies, neuropathic pain, and more. These new lines will be produced through external collaborations, as well as cell line creation within the EBiSC.

Specifically, EBiSC announced: [Read more…]

Universal Cells and HEALIOS K.K. Partner to Produce Universal Donor iPSCs

April 6, 2016 By Cade Hildreth, Founder & President Leave a Comment

Based in Seattle, Washington, Universal Cells Inc. is a revolutionary therapeutic genome editing company that uses nuclease-free technology to develop “off-the-shelf” stem cell products that are universally compatible. While an early-stage company, this novel approach to stem cell engineering has the potential completely alter stem cell therapeutics.

In major news released today, Universal Cells announced that it has entered into an agreement with HEALIOS K.K. in Japan, the world’s leading company producing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) therapeutics. Together, Universal Cells and Healios will create universal donor iPSCs by editing the genes required for antigen presentation.

A Trend Toward Partnership with Japanese Giants

Universal Cells’ alignnment with HEALIOS K.K. is one of many partnerships between stem cell start-ups and large pharma in Japan.

A large number of these partnerships have been facilitated by the Japanese government passing the “Act on the Safety on Regenerative Medicine” and making revisions to the “Pharmaceutical and Medical device Act” in late 2014. These legislative acts have positioned Japan as a “gateway” country for rapid development of cell and gene therapies.

Other recent examples of such partnerships include:

Mesoblast with JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. – December 3, 2015
Pluristem with Sosei CVC – December 20, 2016
Athersys with Healios – January 8, 2016
TiGenix with Takeda – July 5, 2016
Cynata Therapeutics with FUJIFILM Corporation – September 5 2016
Steminent with ReproCELL – November 22, 2016
Regeneus with AGC Asahi Glass – December 29, 2016

Universal Cell’s Partnershi with HEALIOS K.K.

As stated in the press release released by Universal Cells:

“Universal Cells Inc. (Seattle WA, USA) and HEALIOS K.K. (“Healios”) (Tokyo, Japan) have entered into a collaborative research and exclusive option agreement to create therapeutic off-the-shelf iPSCs. The partnership will focus on the production of Universal Donor iPSCs by editing the genes required for antigen presentation.

“Partnering with the world’s leading company in iPSC therapeutics, and the leading nation for accelerated regulatory approval for regenerative medicine products is a significant step towards bringing universal donor cells into the clinic”, commented Dr. Mitchell, CEO of Universal Cells.

Universal Cells’ technology is based on discoveries by Dr. David Russell, the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Universal Cells, and a world-renowned leader in gene editing. Universal Cells has licensed patents on recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV)-mediated gene editing, and HLA engineering.”