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Durham University partners with Japanese stem cell company

Durham University has partnered with Japanese stem cell company, Reprocell, to develop technology enabling heart, liver and nerve cells to be cultured into three-dimensional tissue.

Reprocell has acquired Durham’s Reinnervate Ltd and agreed to invest in further research in the University’s laboratories, namely scaffolding structures that support 3D cell growth.

Reinnervate was spun out by Durham University in 2002 and markets Alvetex, a highly porous polystyrene material that is an ideal base for growing cells into 3D structures.

Reprocell was founded in 2003 and commercialised the world’s first human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which are derived directly from adults and can be induced to change into different types of specialised cell.

The company is focused on the production of heart, liver and nerve cells, for sale to research labs throughout the world.

The agreement between Reprocell and Durham University will see Reinnervate founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Stefan Przyborski, working with the Japanese company in Durham research labs.

Reprocell will also invest in research facilities and new research studentships at the University.

Reinnervate has its headquarters at the North East Technology Park in Sedgefield, County Durham, a few miles from Durham University, where its research is conducted.

The company’s products have a wide range of applications in drug discovery screening and academic research and are used by researchers in over 300 universities and companies globally.

Two Durham University spin-out companies have floated on the stock market within the past year, Kromek, specialising in digital colour x-ray imaging, raised £15 million and Advanced Graphene Materials £11 million.

Stefan Przyborski, said: “Reprocell’s acquisition of Reinnervate and BioServe makes us part of a large international business at the cutting edge of cell technology and stem cell science and with a global distribution network.

“This is great news for biomedical research, for Durham University, and for economic development in North East England.”

Reinnervate CEO, Richard Rowling, said: “We are delighted to become part of the Reprocell group of companies and look forward seeing Alvetex products combined with Reprocell’s advanced stem cell derived cell products.

“Combining the benefits offered by iPS-derived cells and 3D cell culture will lead to exciting new product introductions.”