NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) –Axiogenesis today announced it has sublicensed patents from GE Healthcare to allow the German cell supplier to commercialize technologies based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Under the terms of the agreement, GE Healthcare will sublicense patents for the use of human iPSCs which will enable Axiogenesis to develop cellular assays and stem cell-derived models of disease for use in drug discovery and toxicity screening.
Cologne, Germany-based Axiogenesis said in a statement that the agreement strengthens its ability to offer its customers freedom-to-operate with regard to its iPSC-derived products, which include cardiomyocytes, peripheral and dopaminergic neurons, and connective tissues such as cardiac fibroblasts and astrocytes.
The sublicensed patents provide Axiogenesis' in vitro assays for preclinical drug development a "more efficient path to market," Axiogenesis CEO Heribert Bohlen said in a statement.
GE Healthcare acquired the rights to sublicense the patents in a deal with BioTime signed in December 2014.