LGC to Bring Abcellute's Revolutionary Hepatocyte Preservation Technology to European...

LGC to Bring Abcellute's Revolutionary Hepatocyte Preservation Technology to European Researchers

Guaranteed supply of "fresh" cells will have major impact on drug
discovery costs
LONDON--(Business Wire)--
LGC Standards, Europe's leading supplier of reference standards,
in combination with Abcellute Ltd, a Cardiff (UK)-based biotech
company, have signed a commercial agreement to bring a revolutionary
new approach to the preservation of hepatocyte cells for use in
preclinical drug discovery to the European research community.

Hepatocytes - cells from the liver which play a key role in the
metabolism of many prescription drugs - are widely used throughout the
pharmaceutical discovery community to uncover the key toxicological
effects of many potential new drug candidates. Traditionally
refrigeration at +4(degree)C has been used to slow down cell
metabolism and increase the shelf life of fresh cells, but is unable
to halt the irreversible metabolic changes which occur within the
cell. As a result many researchers have resorted to using cells stored
frozen in liquid nitrogen (cryopreservation). Under these extreme
conditions, some of the cells will survive for long periods, but the
subsequent yield of the thawed cells is very low. Moreover, many of
the natural metabolic systems are considerably diminished in activity,
resulting in the use of a cell which does not represent all of the
natural characteristics of a living cell.

The cell preservation technology developed by the scientists at
Abcellute uses a patented mixture of nutrients and immersion of the
cells in a unique matrix which coats and protects them allowing cell
survival for up to 5 days with minimal loss of function. In particular
the maintenance of phase 2 enzyme activity will be key in providing
scientists using the Abcellute cells with a product comparable to
using fresh cells with the convenience of an extended shelf life.
Cells preserved using the Abcellute matrix are stored easily at 10C
for up to 5 days where they remain in their original native state.
Prior to use, the cells are re-activated and subsequently behave as
normal fresh cells, retaining their 'intact whole organ'
characteristics. Using the "fresh" cells preserved by the Abcellute
technology reduces the need for daily extraction of fresh cells and
the risks associated with toxicological evaluations using
cryopreserved cells which may not effectively mimic the in-vivo
situation.

"This commercial partnership is the natural progression of the
strong relationship which we have developed with LGC Standards over
recent years," said Abcellute's Chief Executive, Alex Watson.
"Research collaborations, such as the DTI MfB Programme (Measurement
for Biotechnology) created a platform for the building of respect for
each other's core expertise and commercial values. The subsequent
adoption of the Abcellute preservation technology by LGC Standards was
a major milestone in the evolution of the commercial partnership. Now,
with the implementation of this Agreement, Abcellute will gain
significant commercial benefit from LGC Standard's professional,
credible and effective reach into the European Drug Discovery
marketplace. We look forward to the further enhancement of this
relationship which will include the development of new technologies
and products built on the combined core technologies of both
companies.

LGC Standards:
Jeffery Anthony
Business Sector Manager
Tel:+44 (0)20 8943 7362
Fax:+44 (0)20 8943 7009
jeffery.anthony@lgcstandards.com
www.lgcstandards.com
or
Abcellute:
Alex B. Watson, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 2920 765080
alex.watson@abcellute.com
or
Hayhurst Media
Richard Hayhurst
Tel: +44 (0) 7711821527 or +44 (0) 208 4873788
richard@hayhurstmedia.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008