Agreement covers ReNcell neural stem cell lines

Chemicon International and ReNeuron have entered into an agreement to allow Chemicon to exclusively distribute two of ReNeuron's patented ReNcell neural stem cell lines worldwide for research purposes

Under the terms of this multi-year agreement, ReNeuron will transfer to Chemicon the ReNcell VM and ReNcell CX cell lines and know-how and expertise for the culture of the cell lines and formulation of media designed specifically for their culture, maintenance and differentiation, in exchange for up-front and royalty payments.

Chemicon will exclusively manufacture and supply the ReNcell cell lines and media to the worldwide stem cell research community.

Chemicon will leverage its strength and depth in stem cell research products, to offer these proprietary and unique products through its direct sales team in North America, Australia, the UK and much of Europe, as well as through its worldwide network of distributors.

The ReNcell lines are immortalised human neural stem cell lines specifically generated by ReNeuron for application as models for regenerative medicine.

These cell lines are fully characterised and are presently utilised in several major laboratories.

The ReNcell lines can proliferate indefinitely and can be induced to differentiate into the three major types of neural cells - neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes - via defined media and protocols.

"Chemicon is excited to collaborate with a leading company in the human stem cell field.

"The ReNcell lines represent a key product release for us and demonstrate our commitment to delivering innovative, high-value reagents to the stem cell market" said Jeffrey Linton, president of Chemicon and Upstate, which comprise Serologicals's research segment.

"Well characterized human stem cell products like these provide a valuable research tool and will help fuel discovery in this promising area of research.

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Chemicon, a world-class reagent company with a clear and aggressive strategy to deliver high quality human stem cell products to the research market" said Michael Hunt, CEO of ReNeuron.

"This deal enables the immediate commercial exploitation of ReNeuron's ReNcell neural stem cell products, in line with our strategy of generating near-term income streams from our technologies to contribute to the funding of our various longer term stem cell therapeutic programmes".

Chemicon International offers a broad range of research products, including specialty reagents, kits, antibodies, and custom products and services, to customers working in the areas of neuroscience, stem cell biology, cancer, and infectious disease research.

It is also a leading supplier of monoclonal antibodies, conjugates, antibody blends and molecular- based detection kits for use in diagnostic laboratories.

Chemicon focuses on basic and biomedical research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, allowing it to serve thousands of customers worldwide in the academic, clinical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Acquired in 2003, Chemicon is a Serologicals company, based in Temecula, CA.

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