Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) has entered an exclusive license agreement for Millipore to develop and market SCS' serum-free media for the growth of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). This media will be the first product available in the industry that offers improved methods for growing hESCs without the need for animal serum.

Researchers can generate improved experimental results by avoiding interference from animal products in the media, which will also improve the reliability in growing hESCs. This will help researchers to better understand the therapeutic value of stem cells.

"Millipore is committed to being the most innovative supplier of products to the stem cell research market," said Dominique Baly, president of Millipore's Bioscience Division. "Our agreement with SCS reflects the significant investments we are making to serve the needs of researchers exploring the therapeutic value of stem cells. We chose SCS because their media worked extremely well in growing hESCs in a variety of different stem cell lines and conditions and they had the most advanced development of serum-free media."

Under the terms of the agreement, Millipore will manufacture and market the new media under the brand name HEScGRO Embryonic Stem Cell Medium. SCS will receive royalties from all future sales of HEScGRO. The company expects to have HEScGRO available for commercial distribution before the end of the year.

SCS vice president and chief operating officer Hugh Ilyine said, "As researchers investigate using stem cells to create cures for new diseases, the use of hESCs are critical. By providing serum-free media to grow hESCs, scientists can be confident that the effects they are studying in the laboratory are from the cell itself and not from animal products in the media. The expansion of our agreement with Millipore will allow researchers to now benefit from products offering superior performance in both mouse and human stem cell research."