Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics and PhenoVista Biosciences Enter Drug Discovery Partnership

Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc., a global developer and manufacturer of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, and PhenoVista Biosciences, a provider of custom imaging-based phenotypic assay services, entered a drug discovery partnership using iPSCs in screening. This alliance will enable drug discovery researchers and scientists access to services for phenotypic and high content screening (HCS) imaging using iPSC-derived differentiated cells, which are more biologically-relevant systems, to help in the drug discovery process.  
 
The drug discovery industry continues to leverage human-derived iPSCs for the development of assays and models to provide increased biological relevance, which can help improve the overall efficiency and success of the discovery process. iPSCs are used to create disease models, enabling researchers to understand the human biology for a range of diseases, and screen for the best possible pharmaceutical drug candidates. Additionally, HCS using iPSCs is applied to create cell-based assays monitoring functions like mitochondrial health and synapse formation, while examining effects of drug candidates and/or environmental contaminants on individual cells.
 
As the preferred iPSC supplier for PhenoVista, Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics will provide its portfolio of differentiated human cells and disease-relevant models in industrial quantities to support PhenoVista in the development of new assays for sophisticated HCS assay development for its customers. This alliance enables PhenoVista to conduct high-value screening programs using Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics’ iPSCs to create multi-cell systems that enable analysis of 3D models. These models best recapitulate the biology of human tissues in an accessible format amenable to compound screening, thus enabling researchers to accelerate their drug development.
 
“Assays using human-derived iPSCs offer unparalleled capability when it comes to biological relevance and become even more valuable when combined with the advanced data analysis and insights inherent with high content screening,” said Keith Olson, senior vice president of commercial operations, Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc. “With the capabilities and expertise resident in our two organizations, we are providing scientists and researchers with the ability to engage in these types of assays with lower risk and higher success in the drug discovery process.”
 
James Evans, CEO, PhenoVista Biosciences, said, “Since founding PhenoVista in 2014, Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc. has been our go-to source for iPSC-derived cells. As a service provider, it’s critical that we have the best possible models to use on our client’s behalf. Leveraging the strength of PhenoVista’s scientists along with Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics’ high quality cell models positions both organizations for accelerated growth in this fast-paced market.”