DefiniGEN has successfully partnered with Atelerix to ship in vitro liver models samples in assay-ready plates to a top tier US pharma customer.
The partnership combines DefiniGEN’s mechanistically relevant iPSC hepatocytes (Opti-Heps) with Atelerix's hydrogel preservation technology, which prevents loss of function and enables even sensitive samples to remain stable at ambient temperatures for up to two weeks.
Shipping the in vitro liver samples to the US in assay-ready plates for screening and analysis enhances the quality of functional assays, saves research time – as cells do not need to be thawed – and avoids the need for cold chain logistics.
Heidi Kingdon Jones, CBO of DefiniGEN, said: “This collaboration marks an industry first in R&D, enabling higher quality functional assays without the reliance on cold chain logistics. By combining DefiniGEN's innovative iPSC-derived hepatocyte models with Atelerix's revolutionary preservation technology, we are not only pushing the boundaries of scientific research but also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical approach in the biopharmaceutical industry.”
DefiniGEN, which was incorporated in 2011, is based at The Moneta Building on Babraham Research Campus. It was founded by Ludovic Vallier, professor for regenerative medicine affiliated to the University of Cambridge’s Department of Surgery, and a senior group leader at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Atelerix, founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Newcastle University, focuses on commercialising an innovative gel encapsulation technique which involves forming cell-containing beads through a gelation process, allowing for stable storage and transportation of cells and tissues.
Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix, said: “Our technology for shelf-stable science solutions has proven to be a game-changer in the field of biopreservation. This partnership demonstrates the efficacy of Atelerix’s preservation technology, exceeding expectations with what is deemed one of the most sensitive and often problematic cell types, to ship fresh and still maintain functionality.
“Working alongside DefiniGEN, we are excited to be at the forefront of reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, improving the logistics of biological materials while moving towards reducing or even replacing the use of animals in drug testing.”
Heidi noted that the innovation came about because one of its clients wanted to take out the drying/thawing part of the testing equation. She said: “Innovation for drug discovery and development today is often about improving quality and/or speed. While most of our clients are happy to receive vials of cryopreserved IPSC-derived hepatocytes, others did not want to have to factor in time for thawing and culturing.
“In addition, both processes can cause some loss of cell function and performance. Hence, a live plate option was needed. When we looked around for support with this venture, the stand-out company in this field was Atelerix and a perfect partner to work with.”
Atelerix’s alginate hydrogel technology preserved cells suspended in a tube, but further innovation was achievable.
Heidi added: “The alginate hydrogel technology was initially found by Atelerix to preserve cells suspended in a tube. After identifying a need to ship cell models ‘assay-ready’ in multiwell plates for DefiniGEN, specific combinations of alginates were developed by Atelerix using know-how accumulated over a number of years. These not only kept cells alive but offered optimal mechanical protection during the rigours of global shipment. The results are customers receive cell models that are ready to use, without loss of performance.”
