Genea Biocells becomes largest provider of human embryonic stem cells

Australian stem cell company Genea Biocells has become the world’s largest provider of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines on the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stem Cell Registry.

Amongst the 52 stem cell lines listed with the registry are 43 disease-specific hESC lines representing 24 different genetic diseases. These genetic diseases include neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington’s disease, tuberous sclerosis and infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy; and neuromuscular disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Becker muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and FSHD.

Also included are cell lines expressing genes coding for genetic cancers, metabolic conditions, vascular diseases and eye conditions. The nine unaffected cell lines are from varied genetic backgrounds.

Genea Biocells’ hESC lines are derived from embryos voluntarily donated by patients who have undergone in vitro fertilisation - often in conjunction with preimplantation genetic diagnosis - at Genea’s fertility clinics. Under the guidelines of the NIH Stem Cell Registry, all lines must have been derived from embryos that were created solely for reproductive purposes, excess to the needs of the donors, and must have been fully consented for stem cell derivation in a specific, fully informed and voluntary process.

Many Genea patients appreciate the option to donate to research embryos that are unsuitable or no longer required for their reproductive purposes. No financial or other inducements can be offered for donation. All cell lines are derived in full compliance with international ethical and regulatory standards.

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning that they have the potential to form any cell type of the human body and can replicate indefinitely. All other non-pluripotent types of stem cells have limitations with respect to the number of replications and the range of cell types they can form. Embryonic stem cells are considered the gold standard pluripotent cell type by the majority of scientists.

The approval of the hESC lines provides researchers with cellular tools to drive the discovery of new treatments for genetic or acquired diseases, including orphan diseases. According to Genea Biocells General Manager Uli Schmidt, “These cell lines will give scientists across the world vital and adaptable platforms to find treatments, and hopefully cures, for some of the most devastating diseases humans face today.”

Schmidt said the approval of the cell lines by the NIH reflects Genea Biocells expertise and high ethical standards. “These approvals make Genea Biocells the leader in the provision of normal and disease-specific human embryonic stem cell lines, ahead of any other institution or company in the world,” he said.

Genea Biocells has the world’s largest private bank of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells with more than 100 individual lines representing almost 30 different genetic diseases. NIH applications for remaining Genea Biocells cell lines are in preparation.