Nucleus Biologics Develops cGMP CMRL Media and zIF™ Xeno-Free Supplement for Robust Human Islet Cell Culture

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Feb 18, 2020, 07:10 ET

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucleus Biologics, a leader in precision cell culture, announced today a complete line of cGMP grade media and a new supplement to enable improved insulin response and standardized processing of human pancreatic islets and beta cells.

In patients with Type 1 diabetes, pancreatic islets are attacked by the immune system impairing insulin production and regulation of blood glucose levels. The number of Americans diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is expected to grow from approximately 1.3 million in 2016 to 5 million by 2025.¹ Studying islets is fundamental to understanding how to restore insulin production. However, islets are largely quiescent and functionally deteriorate rapidly in culture. Preserving viability and function is essential for research studies and therapeutic development.

Designed for enhanced in vitro functionality of human pancreatic islets, Nucleus Biologics' new cGMP ecosystem consists of zIslet™ Factor Supplement (zIF™) and CMRL islet culture media: CMRL 1066, Supplemented; CMRL Suspension Media; and CMRL 1066 Supplemented with CIT Modifications.

The modified cGMP CMRL formulations were developed in collaboration with Dr. Elina Linetsky from the cGMP Advanced Cell and Biologic Products Manufacturing Facility, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami. They are based on product characterization and manufacturing standards developed at University of Miami in preparation for clinical trials at the Clinical Islet Transplant Consortium (CIT).

zIF™ is a cGMP, xeno-free albumin or serum replacement developed in collaboration with Gregory L. Szot from the Islet Production Core at the University of California, San Francisco. When used with CMRL media, zIF™ demonstrated superior islet insulin response to a glucose challenge and preservation across multiple cadaver donor islet preparations compared to human serum albumin (HSA).

Like all Nucleus Biologics' media, the islet ecosystem is manufactured under cGMP and is supplied with the ingredient list. "The islet community has been underserved by industry for too long due to a lack of cGMP grade products and optimized supplements. In keeping with our mission to speed the time from discovery to cure, we are delivering innovative, transparent, cGMP products that improve the quality of the islets and streamline our customers' regulatory process," said David Sheehan, Founder, President and CEO of Nucleus Biologics.

For more information on the Nucleus Biologics' islet solutions, please visit our islet solutions web page.

1. CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2017.

About Nucleus Biologics
Nucleus Biologics is a San Diego based biotechnology company and a global provider of media and supplements for the cell and gene therapy space. Their mission is to speed the time from scientific discovery to cure by driving reproducibility through Precision Cell Culture products and tools. Nucleus Biologics delivers innovative, transparent and cGMP products and services with the goal of disrupting the market and eliminating antiquated practices and products. Ultimately, Nucleus Biologics strives to create a new paradigm that serves both scientists and clinicians, while reducing the environmental footprint of cell culture. https://nucleusbiologics.com/

Media Contact:

Alyssa Master
[email protected], (858) 251-2010

SOURCE Nucleus Biologics