ReNcellTM Programmes

ReNeuron has developed two of its neural stem cell lines as assay tools in drug discovery:

  • ReNcellTM VM, derived from the ventral mesencephalon region of the brain
  • ReNcellTM CX, derived from the cortex.
A series of specifications have been developed describing the ability of these cell lines to grow and retain stability after culturing, to differentiate readily into neurons, and for the derived neurons to show physiological properties indicative of mature neurons. These cell lines give our ReNcellTM lines a unique capability when compared with existing cell lines typically used in drug discovery applications.

ReNcellTM lines are suitable for use in pharma discovery and screening - in a range of cell-based electrophysiology, gene and protein expression, neurotoxicology and high-throughput or high-content applications.

We have developed a process for generating a uniquely high content of dopamine neurons from the ReNcell VM line. This enables its use in the development of dopamine neuronal assays, specifically to test compounds being developed for Parkinson's disease.

The ReNcellTM CX and ReNcellTM VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license by Millipore Corporation.

We have also developed a human hepatocyte (liver) cell line for non therapeutic applications, ReNcellTM HEP. A liver cell line with appropriate adult metabolic phenotypes is not, to our knowledge, currently available. It would be important to the pharma industry because of the essential requirement for liver drug metabolism and toxicology screening for all lead drug compounds.

The ReNcellTM HEP cell line is currently under evaluation by potential commercial distribution partners. We also have a collaboration with CellSeed Inc of Japan to develop novel liver cell culture systems for drug safety screening in the pharmaceutical industry. These systems will combine the ReNcellTM HEP cell line with CellSeed's temperature-sensitive polymer products for 3-dimensional functional liver tissue.

The characteristics of the ReNcellTM lines also make them ideally suited for testing as an alternative to rodent primary cultures on biosensor chips. An evaluation programme is currently underway with a commercial development partner in Germany, in order to develop these chips as a sophisticated drug discovery tool.

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