 StemFit® Basic02 iPS/ES cell culture medium for basic research TOKYO, September 14, 2016 – Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto Co.”) will begin sales of StemFit® Basic02, a high-performance iPS/ES cell culture medium for basic research, to research institutions in the United States, the global center of regenerative medicine research, on September 16, 2016 (local time). This will be the first stage of a global market rollout of Ajinomoto Co.’s StemFit® series of iPS/ES cell culture media, which has established a track record in Japan, as the company continues to contribute to the rapid realization of regenerative medicine around the world.
Regenerative medicine is considered to be one of the most thriving and advancing fields of research for both clinical and practical applications. The global market for peripheral regenerative medicine-related industries, such as equipment, supplies and services, was JPY 240 billion as of 2012, with the United States accounting for approximately half. By 2050, it is expected to grow to JPY 15 trillion (2013 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry survey).
Ajinomoto Co. developed StemFit® AK03 jointly with the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University in 2014 and has been providing it to related facilities in Japan as a cell culture medium for clinical research into regenerative medicine. In 2015, Ajinomoto Co. launched StemFit® AK02N, a cell culture medium for basic research with a similar composition and comparable performance to that of StemFit® AK03. In addition, in July 2016 Ajinomoto Co. launched StemFit® AK03N, Japan’s only cell culture medium for clinical research to consist solely of refined substances completely free of animal- and human-derived components through the use of recombinant proteins made with biotechnology. Currently, Ajinomoto Co. is rolling out the StemFit® series in Japan with a lineup of two varieties, one for basic research and the other for clinical research.
The StemFit® series has the world’s highest level of performance as a culture medium for propagation of iPS/ES cells and has earned a positive evaluation in Japan for achieving higher cost performance than the products of other companies in terms of replacement frequency, proliferation rate and stability. Now, Ajinomoto Co. will launch StemFit® Basic02, which was developed for the global market based on StemFit® AK02N cell culture medium for basic research, for research institutions in the United States, the global market leader. For sales, Ajinomoto Co. has formed a tie-up with a U.S. subsidiary of ReproCELL, Inc. (ReproCELL USA, Inc.), which supports regenerative medicine research globally, to provide the product broadly to regenerative medicine research institutions in the United States.
Ajinomoto Co. plans to promote the development of cell culture media for clinical research for the global market, and to roll out the StemFit® series in various countries in Europe and Asia.
By marketing StemFit® cell culture media for use in cultivation of iPS/ES cells, the Ajinomoto Group will contribute to the realization of regenerative medicine and the development of new pharmaceuticals, and thus to healthy human lives.
Glossary
iPS cell:
Induced pluripotent stem cell. A cell made by introducing various types of reprogramming factors into human somatic cells. iPS cells can differentiate into various tissue and organ cells and proliferate indefinitely in culture.
ES cell:
Embryonic stem cell. A stem cell derived from the inner cell mass of a human blastocyst (a very early embryo) that is capable of differentiating into the various tissue and organ cells that make up the body.
Recombinant proteins:
Proteins created with biotechnology using microbes, yeast or other substances. Recombinant proteins are widely used as biopharmaceuticals, including treatments for cancer and rheumatism.
Reference
Overview of ReproCELL, Inc.
About Ajinomoto Co.
Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 27 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,185.9 billion (USD 9.87 billion) in fiscal 2015. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.
For further information, please contact:
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department;
pr_info@ajinomoto.com
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