NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Cellular Dynamics today said that it will collaborate with AstraZeneca on developing new human induced pluripotent stem cells for therapeutic discovery screening applications.
Cellular Dynamics said that under the "Center of Excellence" agreement AstraZeneca will use the firm's iCell and MyCell products for iPSC reprogramming and differentiation, and the firms will collaborate on the development of one or more novel cell types. Specifically, Cellular Dynamics said that AstraZeneca will use the MyCell technology to genetically engineer and manufacture cells from specific patient groups for use as in vitro disease models.
Cellular Dynamics CEO Bob Palay noted that the deal with AstraZeneca is the firm's third Center of Excellence agreement with a global pharmaceutical company.
Further terms of the alliance were not disclosed.