ATCC, the premier biological materials resource and standards organization, and Stemgent, Inc., a leading provider of stem cell research tools, reprogramming reagents and related services, today announced a collaborative research agreement to advance development of novel stem cell reagents and pluripotent cells.

Recognizing the need to deliver a level of standardization and reliability in the field of pluripotent cell biology, ATCC and Stemgent have agreed to work in partnership with the intent to co-develop cell lines and reagents for this dynamic field. Stemgent has optimized an integration-free, defined, and scalable system for efficient reprogramming of somatic cells to the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) state.

ATCC has announced the formation of an iPS cell repository dedicated to providing well characterized and readily accessible iPS cells to medical researchers around the world.

Stemgent and ATCC will work together to create a reliable supply of high quality cell lines and reagents that operate in an integrated manner, enabling researchers to generate more consistent experimental results. In addition, the parties intend to leverage their respective strengths and relationships in cell biology and stem cell reagents to co-develop novel cell lines and reagents to support researchers’ use of in vitro models of human tissues and disease states.

ABOUT ATCC

Since 1925, ATCC has operated as an independent, non-profit entity that has helped life science organizations and academic institutions produce innovations that have benefited humankind: creating life saving vaccines, nutritional improvements, cancer research breakthroughs, and safer, more effective medications. With distribution to more than 140 countries and a working relationship with 12 distribution partners, ATCC has the experience, knowledge, rigor, tradition and the global reach to serve academic institutions, government agencies, biotech, biopharma, and research organizations around the world.

For more information, visit www.atcc.org.

ABOUT STEMGENT, INC.

Stemgent, Inc. is engaged in working alongside some of the world’s leading stem cell scientists in developing innovative reprogramming technologies and stem cell solutions for the advancement of biomedical research. Our mission is to support international scientists using stem cells in a range of settings and applications by providing validated reagents, training and custom cell line services. By providing access to cutting-edge, reproducible products, researchers can focus on their experiments. Our scientific development sites are located in both Cambridge, Massachusetts and San Diego, California.

For more information, visit www.stemgent.com.