2024-09-04 22:11:06
A PHC Corporation Biomedical Division (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Nobuaki Nakamura; hereinafter referred to as the Biomedical Division) today announced the commercial launch of LiCellMo, a live-cell metabolic analyzer that enables researchers to visualize metabolic changes(*1) in cell cultures, providing a more complete picture of cellular activity for use in cell and gene therapy (CGT) research. LiCellMo utilizes PHC’s proprietary high-precision In-Line Monitoring technology(*2), which enables continuous measurement of cellular metabolites in the culture medium without the need to interrupt the experiment for sample collection. LiCellMo will be launched in Japan in September, followed by a launch in other select regions in October.
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Left: Controller (MLC-AC0-P*) / Right: Detector (MLC-AD240A-P*) / Bottom: Sensor module (MLC-AS240A-PW) (Graphic: Business Wire)
As CGT gains recognition as a promising treatment approach for previously difficult-to-treat diseases, research and development of CGT products, such as CAR-T therapy(*3) for the treatment of cancer, is progressing rapidly. Tracking cellular metabolism – the series of reactions that provide the energy needed to sustain life – is a key component of process development for CGT products, as well as for stem cell research(*4), including iPS cells, and cancer immunology research. Accurate assessment of cell growth and differentiation and creation of an optimal cell culture environment are essential for the production of high-quality CGT products. The need for accurate analysis of metabolic changes is especially important to support processes such as the transition from 2D cell culture techniques(*5) to more complex 3D cell culture methods, including organoids(*6).
Conventional methods for assessing cellular metabolism require researchers to periodically sample the culture medium, which makes it difficult to monitor changes in cellular conditions over time, as measurements often result in discrete data points. Repeated sampling also carries the risk of contamination. Furthermore, reproducibility issues can arise in culture manipulation, as the standards for assessing cell health depend on the skill and experience of the researcher. Therefore, researchers need a method to continuously monitor cell health based on objective and quantitative assessment indicators, without the need for repeated sampling of the medium.
The new LiCellMo live cell metabolic analyzer overcomes these challenges encountered during research and contributes to the accelerated practical application of new treatment modalities. LiCellMo provides continuously measured data on key cellular metabolic pathways, giving researchers an accurate picture of previously unobservable changes in cell state over time. By providing continuous and accurate metabolic data, LiCellMo will enable researchers to make more informed decisions. This will help contribute to new research discoveries and important advances in therapies. Furthermore, LiCellMo can be easily installed in an existing CO2 incubator in a laboratory, without changes to the usual culture environment, and the sensor module will be the only proprietary PHC consumable required for use. As a result, it offers researchers a flexible solution to the challenges faced in conventional cell culture methods.
LiCellMo has been in beta testing globally at several research institutes and pharmaceutical companies since 2023. One of the beta testers was Masaki Kimura, a research associate in the lab led by Takanori Takebe, an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, director of Commercial Innovation at the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), and an expert in the production of liver organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Kimura said, “The challenge with conventional metabolic measurements in cell culture is that the differences at each time point are so large that it is difficult to detect the dynamic changes in metabolism.” Using LiCellMo allowed his team to collect much more detailed information from the liver organoids they had created, something that was not previously possible.
Chikara Takauo, Director of PHC Corporation and Head of the Biomedical Division, said, “I am very pleased with the launch of LiCellMo. The in-line monitoring technology featured in this live cell metabolic analyzer is a newly developed proprietary technology based on the core technology of the blood glucose sensor, the flagship product developed by IVD. This demonstrates the synergy between the Biomedical Division and the IVD Division. We believe that this will provide researchers with the opportunity to gain unprecedented new insights into cellular metabolism in the fields of cancer immunology and stem cell research, as well as in the manufacturing process of new therapeutics in these fields. With the launch of LiCellMo, we aim to contribute to the evolution of modalities by accelerating the creation of innovative solutions to QCD (quality, cost and delivery) challenges in the manufacturing process of CGT products, moving toward the rapid mainstreaming of CGT.”
Notes
(*1) A series of biochemical reactions in cultured cells that produce the energy needed for cellular functions and survival.
(*2) A technology that allows continuous measurement of cellular metabolites in culture medium without the need for sampling, achieved by maintaining constant immersion in the medium.
(*3) A treatment for refractory cancers that are difficult to completely destroy with the body’s natural immune response alone. This treatment involves harvesting the patient’s T cells, genetically modifying them to produce a specialized protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and then reintroducing these CAR-T cells into the patient.
(*4) The research focused on cells with the ability to divide and produce identical cells, as well as to differentiate into other cell types.
(*5) Methods of culturing cells on a flat surface, in which the cells adhere to the bottom of a plastic container, such as a dish or culture flask.
(*6) Cell culture methods in 3D structures, in which cells grow on a 3D substrate that mimics natural tissue environments.
About PHC Corporation’s Biomedical Division
Founded in 1969, PHC Corporation is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TOKYO:6523), a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells and services diabetes management solutions, healthcare solutions, life sciences and diagnostics. The Biomedical Division supports the life sciences industry by assisting researchers and healthcare providers in approximately 110 countries and regions with its laboratories and equipment, including CO2 incubators and ultra-low temperature freezers.
Sobre a PHC Holdings Corporation
PHC Holdings Corporation (TOKYO:6523) is a global healthcare company with a mission to contribute to the health of society through healthcare solutions that positively impact and improve people’s lives. Its subsidiaries include PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia Holdings Ltd., LSI Medience Corporation, Wemex Corporation and Mediford Corporation. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service diabetes management solutions, healthcare solutions, diagnostics and life sciences. Consolidated net sales in fiscal 2023 were JPY 353.9 billion, with global distribution of products and services in over 125 countries and regions. The term PHC Group collectively refers to PHC Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries.
The original language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as a convenience only and must refer to the original language text, which is the only version of the text that has legal effect.
View source version on businesswire.com:
Contact:
Contact for Products and Services:
Happy Okada
Marketing Department, Biomedical Division
PHC Corporation
E-mail: [email protected]
Investor Relations (IR) and Media Contact:
Hiroko Arai
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Department
PHC Holdings Corporation
Tel.: +81-3-6778-5311
E-mail: [email protected]
Source: BUSINESS WIRE
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