DefiniGEN Ltd., and Atelerix Ltd., have announced they have successfully shipped in vitro liver models from the UK to a top tier pharma customer in the US.

The agreement between the companies 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.

In vitro liver models are laboratory-created liver cells or tissues that mimic the natural behaviour of the liver in the human body. These models allow scientists to study liver functions and diseases while reducing the need to use live animals. Additionally, these models provide a controlled environment for testing the effects of drugs on the liver, supporting the development of safer and more effective medications. They can also speed up the drug development process, as researchers can quickly assess drug toxicity and metabolism information.

Samples are shipped fresh to customers in assay ready plates for screening and analysis, enhancing the quality of functional assays. This 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: "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. This collaboration marks an industry first in R&D, enabling higher quality functional assays without the reliance on cold chain logistics.”

Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix, added: “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.”

About DefiniGEN

DefiniGEN’s platform enables the large-scale generation of iPSC-derived hepatocytes (Opti-Heps) with functional relevance comparable to primary human hepatocytes. By integrating CRISPR/Cas9 technology, DefiniGEN can replicate disease phenotypes catering to unmet needs for in vitro efficacy testing and enabling the study of previously inaccessible rare monogenic liver diseases.

In addition, Opti-Heps successfully replicate all aspects of hepatocyte pathophysiology, allowing them to replace primary liver cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in many aspects of toxicity testing. This breakthrough provides scientists with a reliable and consistent supply of highly functional hepatocytes for the first time. This is crucial in a landscape where the predictability of drug responses and reducing the reliance on animal models are significant challenges. By offering a scalable platform that produces cells mimicking human primary hepatocytes, DefiniGEN aims to reduce clinical failure rates and streamline the drug development process, addressing both efficiency and ethical concerns prevalent in the industry.

About Atelerix

Crafting shelf-stable science inspired by hedgehogs, Atelerix is the answer to the cryopreservation headache. With a gel that's not just cool but doesn't need to be cold, they're setting cells, tissues, and viruses free from the icy grip of traditional storage and shipping methods. Welcome to the future of bioscience, where the storage is easy, and the cells are always fresh.