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LGC to bring Abcellute’s revolutionary hepatocyte preservation technology to
European researchers
Guaranteed supply of “fresh” cells will have major impact on drug discovery
costs
London, March 31, 2008:
LGC Standards, Europe’s leading supplier of reference standards, in
combination with Abcellute Ltd, a Cardiff(UK)-based biotech company, have signed
a commercial agreement to bring a revolutionary new approach to the preservation
of hepatocyte cells for use in preclinical drug discovery to the European
research community.
Hepatocytes – cells from the liver which play a key role in the metabolism of
many prescription drugs - are widely used throughout the pharmaceutical
discovery community to uncover the key toxicological effects of many potential
new drug candidates. Traditionally refrigeration at +4ºC has been used to slow
down cell metabolism and increase the shelf life of fresh cells, but is unable
to halt the irreversible metabolic changes which occur within the cell. As a
result many researchers have resorted to using cells stored frozen in liquid
nitrogen (cryopreservation). Under these extreme conditions, some of the cells
will survive for long periods, but the subsequent yield of the thawed cells is
very low. Moreover, many of the natural metabolic systems are considerably
diminished in activity, resulting in the use of a cell which does not represent
all of the natural characteristics of a living cell.
The cell preservation technology developed by the scientists at Abcellute uses a
patented mixture of nutrients and immersion of the cells in a unique matrix
which coats and protects them allowing cell survival for up to 5 days with
minimal loss of function. In particular the maintenance of phase 2 enzyme
activity will be key in providing scientists using the Abcellute cells with a
product comparable to using fresh cells with the convenience of an extended
shelf life. Cells preserved using the Abcellute matrix are stored easily at 10C
for up to 5 days where they remain in their original native state. Prior to use,
the cells are re-activated and subsequently behave as normal fresh cells,
retaining their ‘intact whole organ’ characteristics. Using the “fresh” cells
preserved by the Abcellute technology reduces the need for daily extraction of
fresh cells and the risks associated with toxicological evaluations using
cryopreserved cells which may not effectively mimic the in-vivo situation.
Commenting on the potential that the Abcellute technology brings to the drug
discovery market place, Dr Matthias Brommer, Director, LGC Standards, said: “We
are excited by the synergy that this collaboration will create. The ability to
preserve hepatocyte cells as “fresh” for 5 days will bring greater convenience,
and an improved understanding of the potential for many new compounds, and hence
contribute significantly to the understanding of each new candidate’s potential.
The technology offers huge potential savings to drug discovery research and pre
clinical testing costs in particular.
“ LGC’s strong scientific expertise in cellular toxicology combined with our
international logistics capabilities will make access to the Abcellute preserved
cells to scientists throughout Europe more efficient and we look forward to
assisting our customers improve the quality of preclinical information so
crucial for cost-effective decision making.”
“This commercial partnership is the natural progression of the strong
relationship which we have developed with LGC Standards over recent years”, said
Abcellute’s Chief Executive, Alex Watson. “Research collaborations, such as the
DTI MfB Programme (Measurement for Biotechnology) created a platform for the
building of respect for each other’s core expertise and commercial values. The
subsequent adoption of the Abcellute preservation technology by LGC Standards
was a major milestone in the evolution of the commercial partnership. Now, with
the implementation of this Agreement, Abcellute will gain significant commercial
benefit from LGC Standard’s professional, credible and effective reach into the
European Drug Discovery marketplace. We look forward to the further enhancement
of this relationship which will include the development of new technologies and
products built on the combined core technologies of both companies.
- Ends -
About LGC Standards reference materials business
The reference materials business at LGC Standards is a Europe-wide
distribution business focused on a number of key market sectors including
pharmaceutical testing, food analysis, environmental analysis, forensic science,
clinical science and general analyte determination. Reference materials assist
analysts dealing with a broad range of analyses to improve the accuracy,
traceability and repeatability of a diverse range of chemical measurements. LGC
Standards’ head office is located at LGC’s Teddington laboratory in the UK with
the network of distribution offices including UK, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Germany,
Poland, France and India. LGC Standards has distribution partnerships with many
of the world’s leading reference materials producers, including ATCC, ULTRA
Scientific, Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, NMIA, Cerilliant and the Institute
for Reference Materials and Measurements.
About Abcellute
Abcellute was founded in September 2001 as a spinout from the School of
Biosciences, Cardiff University. Abcellute’s core technology is based on a novel
matrix which permits the preservation and storage of fresh primary liver cells
or hepatocytes for up to 5 days at non-freezing temperatures without loss of
biological function or principle biomarkers.
The company’s primary strategy is to attain global adoption of its cell
preservation platform technology, thereby providing the research community with
enhanced cell systems to improve management and development of key areas such as
pre-clinical drug evaluation and regenerative medicine.
Abcellute’s main operational base is in the Medicentre facility, the Heath
Hospital, Cardiff. . Private equity and VC funded, the company has a highly
experienced scientific (5 PhDs; 1 MSc), commercial and financial team.
About LGC
LGC is an international science-based company and market leader in
analytical, forensic and diagnostic services and reference standards. A
progressive and innovative enterprise, LGC operates in socially responsible
fields underpinning the safety, health and security of the public and the
regulation of industry, for UK government departments and blue chip clients.
LGC operates internationally through five divisions - LGC Forensics, Life & Food
Sciences, Pharmaceutical & Chemical Services, LGC Standards and Research &
Technology, which houses specialist laboratories for the delivery of contracts
under the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and to serve
its designated role as the UK's National Measurement Institute for chemical and
bioanalysis.
Our methodology is extensively accredited to the international standard ISO
17025. Headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, the LGC Group employs over 1100
staff in 21 laboratories and centres across Europe and in India. Privatised in
1996 and now majority-owned by funds managed by LGV Capital, LGC was founded
over 150 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist - a statutory
function maintained by LGC today.
For further information, please contact:
LGC Standards:
Jeffry Anthony,
Business Sector Manager
LGC Standards,
Queens Road, Teddington
Middlesex, TW11 0LY
Tel:+44 (0)20 8943 7362
Fax:+44 (0)20 8943 7009
Email: jeffery.anthony@lgcstandards.com
Web: www.lgcstandards.com
Abcellute:
Corporate:
Alex B. Watson, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 2920 765080
Email: alex.watson@abcellute.com
Media:
Richard Hayhurst, Hayhurst Media
Tel: +44 (0) 7711821527 or +44 (0) 208 4873788
Email:richard@hayhurstmedia.com
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