Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics and Lonza Enter Cell Therapy Partnership

Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, a global developer and manufacturer of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) technologies, and Lonza Walkersville, Inc., a leading global GMP iPSC manufacturer, have entered into a partnership. The agreement enables drug developers to leverage both companies' expertise and technologies for the generation of iPSCs through licensing agreements.

Under the agreement, Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics grants Lonza a non-exclusive right to use their patents related to iPSC generation, including episomal vectors and reprogramming factors, for the clinical manufacture and differentiation of iPSC lines for cell therapies. Furthermore, Lonza grants FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics expanded use of its non-exclusive license to its innovative NucleofectorTM technology, to enable efficient transfection of cells, stem cell and cell lines.

Cell therapies have emerged as a promising treatment modality with the ability to augment, repair, or replace human biology, including organs, tissues and cells. Given their incredible capacity to self-renew and the ability to become many different cell types, iPSCs are a critical material used in the development and manufacture of cell therapies.

“Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics is a key global player with the technology and expertise in iPSC episomal generation enabling high quality, purity and reproducibility,” said Takeshi Yamamoto, chief executive officer, Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics. “We are pleased to reach this outcome with Lonza to produce iPSC lines to better serve drug developers. We expect to grant additional patent licenses to pharmaceutical and biotech companies to support the growth of available cell therapies.”

Alberto Santagostino, senior vice president, head of cell and gene technologies, Lonza, said, “As true leaders in our field, both companies came to an agreement which benefits our customers and brings clarity to the industry. It shows our common goal to make high quality iPSC therapies available at affordable cost to our customers. Additionally, we are pleased to expand the license-use of our innovative Nucleofector technology granted to Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics. This agreement further strengthens our leading end-to-end proprietary service offering for iPSCs. In combination with Lonza’s L7TM hPSC Culture System and non-viral 4D-Nucleofector™ Transfection Technology, this represents an excellent approach for reprogramming and culturing GMP grade iPSCs.”