Press Releases
Promega and Cellular Dynamics Partner to Validate Stem Cell-Based In Vitro Assays for Predicting Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity
MADISON, WISCONSIN (June 15, 2010)
Figure 1. Viability (blue) and death (red) of iCell™ Cardiomyocytes (CDI) in response to Staurosporine application measured simultaneously with MultiTox-Glo Multiplex Cytotoxicity Assay (Promega).
Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) and Promega have
entered into a research collaboration with the goal of
bringing more relevant and highly predictive toxicity
testing to the drug discovery process. Pharmaceutical
discovery scientists will now be able to combine bioassays
with human cardiomyocytes to improve prediction of
unintentional, detrimental side effects that have previously
remained undetected until late in the development process or
after release of the drug to the general public.
Currently CDI has validated a panel of cell-based
cytotoxicity assays from Promega that use CDI's human
induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived
iCell™
Cardiomyocytes. Data presented at the recent Society of
Toxicology and the Society of Biomolecular Sciences
conferences by CDI demonstrate that Promega's
multiplexed
biomarker assays for cytotoxicity and cell viability can be
used to identify known toxic agents with similar sensitivity
as reported in the published literature (see figure).
CDI and its pharmaceutical collaborators have begun
validating such assays in order to incorporate them into
their routine discovery programs.
Chris Parker, CDI's chief
commercial officer, noted, "Pharmaceutical customers
recognize the importance of using human models to perform
their studies - but up until recently, human cell models that
exhibited true human biology in vitro were difficult to come
by. We have several pharmaceutical customers who've
validated in vitro cardiotoxicity assays using iCell
Cardiomyocytes, which have correlated well with previous
data from cardiotoxicity studies in animal-based models."
Ultimately, the union of these two technologies from Promega
and CDI is expected to provide more biologically predictive
data and drive the development of safer and more effective
drugs.
About Promega
Promega Corporation is a leader in
providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life
sciences industry. The company's 2,000 products enable
scientists worldwide to advance their knowledge in genomics,
proteomics, cellular analysis, molecular diagnostics and human
identification. Founded in 1978, the company is headquartered in
Madison, WI, USA with branches in 14 countries and over 50
global distributors. For more information about Promega, visit
www.promega.com
About Cellular Dynamics International
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI) is a leading
developer and marketer of next-generation stem cell
technologies for drug development and personalized medicine
applications. CDI harnesses the power of pluripotent stem
cells and their ability to differentiate into any cell type
for world-class drug development tools. In addition, it is
the leader in iPSC technology, the production of pluripotent
stem cell lines from adult tissue. CDI was founded in 2004
by
James Thomson, a pioneer in human pluripotent stem cell
research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Tactics
II Ventures, a Wisconsin-based private equity fund. CDI's
facilities are located in Madison, Wisconsin. See
www.cellulardynamics.com.
Contacts:
Penny Patterson
Director, Corporate Affairs
Promega Corporation
Phone: (608) 274-4330
E-mail:
penny.patterson@promega.com
Jolene Rau
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
Cellular Dynamics International
Phone: (608) 310-5142
E-mail:
jrau@cellulardynamics.com
These pages contain communications on Promega product releases and corporate activities. For additional new product information, see the new products page or the specific product or application area.
For more information about a new release article or about Promega in general, contact Penny Patterson at 1-608-274-4330 or complete this form.