Demand Escalates for iPSC Life Science Tools: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Prove Invaluable in Toxicity and Drug Efficacy Screening

Scientia Advisors' senior analyst Lisa Carey and senior associate Michael Tapella, are featured in the May 15th, 2011 issue of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News with an article titled:"Demand Escalates for iPSC Life Science Tools: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Prove Invaluable in Toxicity and Drug Efficacy Screening."

A persistent issue for the pharmaceutical industry is the high failure rate of compounds in clinical development due to low efficacy and safety issues. Since 2006, researchers have created a solution to this problem based on cell lines known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that have been reprogrammed to have embryonic stem cell-like properties. The benefit of iPSC method is that iPSCs are derived from nonembryonic tissue, providing opportunity for a more ethically sound approach. Although offering a clear benefit, few companies have yet to commercialize cell lines derived from iPSCs because o uncertainties on how to license or protect their intellectual property.

In this article, the authors explore the commercial opportunities along the iPSC value chain for the pharmaceutical industry and the associated risks, and conclude that, due to high demand for iPSC life science tools, a unique business opportunity exists for companies looking to commercialize iPSCs.

The article can be accessed on the Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News website here.