Embryonic stem cell tissue culture media

Chemicon and Stem Cell Sciences have signed an exclusive agreement to manufacture and market novel patent-protected embryonic stem (ES) cell media for the research market.

Under the terms of this agreement, SCS will transfer the patented technology and expertise to Chemicon to allow it to manufacture a fully formulated cell culture media that Chemicon will exclusively market worldwide.

This novel media has substantial improvements over animal-serum based media formulations.

The availability of this new serum-free, ready-to-use media offers advantages in convenience and reproducibility, eliminating lot-to-lot variations inherent with the use of animal serum.

Specific formulations will be provided for different aspects of passaging and clonal selection of mammalian ES cells.

The flagship ready-to-use formulation will contain Chemicon's proprietary LIF as well as proprietary molecules patented by SCS.

SCS has been active in the stem cell research arena since 1994, principally focused on technologies to grow, differentiate, select and purify embryonic stem cells.

SCS has a substantial portfolio of patents and patent applications within these areas, and intends to develop SC-based therapies.

"Chemicon is excited to add these new ES cell culture media formulations to our portfolio of innovative reagents and technologies for the global stem cell research community," said Jeffrey Linton, president of Chemicon.

"These new media formulations will aid researchers in the passaging and selection of mammalian ES cell lines.

"These new products will broaden the solutions already being provided to thousands of ES cell researchers worldwide via our LIF and Esgro product lines.

"In addition, we look forward to furthering our collaboration with Stem Cell Sciences to co-develop and market additional innovative ES cell products".

"We are pleased to enter this agreement with a well-established stem cell research solutions provider such as Chemicon," said Peter Mountford, CEO of Stem Cell Sciences.

"Chemicon is well positioned in the stem cell arena to both manufacture and provide the serum-free, fully formulated ES cell media formulations we have developed to researchers in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine."