NIH-CRM Awards Cellular Dynamics up to $7 Million to Produce Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Differentiated Tissue Cells

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Institutes of Health Center for Regenerative Medicine (NIH-CRM) has awarded Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI), the world's largest commercial producer of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines and tissue cells, a contract to provide human iPS cell lines and terminally differentiated tissue cells from normal or specified patient populations.  The contract is worth up to $7.0 million for the three year life of the agreement. This contract follows on two NIH-CRM contracts awarded in September 2011, whereby CDI will generate and genetically engineer iPS cell lines; the company has delivered on several of these cell lines already.

This contract meets a primary goal of the NIH-CRM: to provide researchers with the support needed to move stem cell technology forward. It is expected that these cells will be utilized for preclinical research, including screening compound libraries. As one of the only companies in the world capable of providing iPSC-derived tissue cells in the quality, quantity, and purity required for preclinical research, CDI currently manufactures iCell® Cardiomyocytes, iCell Neurons, iCell Endothelial Cells, and iCell Hepatocytes. In addition, the company launched its MyCell Services in June this year, whereby researchers can contract CDI to manufacture iPS cells and tissue cells, as well as do genetic engineering, for patient samples they supply.

"This contract enables NIH researchers to easily access our human iPS cell-derived cells and accelerate the pace of their research," said Chris Parker, chief commercial officer of CDI. "Scientists can now concentrate on their experiments and the data they generate instead of trying to manufacture a consistent and pure supply of human cells. Our expertise is providing the necessary tools – human cells – so that researchers can focus on discoveries."

Robert Palay, chief executive officer of CDI, continued, "CDI was founded on Dr. James Thomson's vision that the industrial manufacture of human iPS cells and the somatic cells derived from them is critical for discoveries and benefits to human health to be realized. This NIH contract award recognizes CDI's leadership in developing iPSC technology and providing high quality cellular tools to the biological research community in their drive toward improving human health."

About Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI) is a leading developer of next-generation stem cell technologies for drug development, cell therapy, tissue engineering and organ regeneration. CDI harnesses its unique manufacturing technology to produce differentiated tissue cells from any individual's stem cell line in industrial quality, quantity and purity. CDI is accelerating the adoption of pluripotent stem cell technology, adapting its methods to fit into standard clinical practice by the creation of individual stem cell lines from a standard blood draw. CDI was founded in 2004 by Dr. James Thomson, a pioneer in human pluripotent stem cell research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CDI's facilities are located in Madison, Wisconsin. See www.cellulardynamics.com.

SOURCE Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.