SEKISUI CHEMICAL Co.,Ltd. (President and CEO: Keita Kato, hereinafter referred to as “SEKISUI CHEMICAL”) and Space Bio Laboratories Co.,Ltd. (President and CEO: Yumi Kawahara, hereinafter referred to as “SBL”) have started joint research on culture substrates for the establishment of a high-quality mesenchymal stem cell production process by culture in a microgravity environment.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the somatic stem cells obtained from bone marrow and adipose tissue, and have high proliferative potential as well as pluripotency to differentiate into various cells such as nerve and bone. MSCs are currently used in many clinical studies and, along with iPS cells, demand for MSCs is expected to increase with the development of regenerative medicine in the future. On the other hand, it is known that there is a correlation between the quality of MSCs and therapeutic efficacy, and the establishment of a process that can stably produce high-quality MSCs is desired.
SEKISUI CHEMICAL has been developing chemically-defined scaffolds material for stable stem cell culture and other applications through the material technology it has cultivated to date and recently decided to launch products under the Ceglu™ brand. Ceglu is a resin material that can be stored at room temperature, eliminating the need to coat the substrate with protein each time before culturing, thereby stabilizing the quality of the cells.
SBL has been working on building a regenerative medicine system aimed at completely curing central nervous disorder through the development of Gravité®, a device that can simulating a microgravity environment on ground, and stem cell culture technology using this device.
The two companies will work to establish a process for the stable production of high-quality MSCs by using Ceglu-coated substrates for MSC culture in a microgravity environment with Gravite®. It is expected that the research results from the fusion of innovative technologies will contribute to the further development of regenerative medicine.
Ceglu, chemically-defined scaffold
Providing a variety of pre-coated substrates to ensure a stable culture environment
Gravite®, gravity control device
Realizing microgravity environment of 1/1000G, the same as the space station
About Ceglu
Ceglu is a coined word combining the words “Cell” and “Glue.” Ceglu brand cell culture scaffolds have excellent cell adhesion and storage stability, and are suitable for various applications such as iPS cell and mesenchymal stem cell culture and differentiation, Ceglu is a chemically synthesized material and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients in its production process. The coating of Ceglu on a variety of culture substrates provides a homogeneous fine culture surface environment. (The launch schedule of Ceglu and other details will be announced at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine to be held in March 2025.)
About Gravite®
It is one of the devices (clinostat) that can change the direction of gravity vector by rotation. It is a device to simulate a microgravity environment of 1/1000G, the same as the space station, on the ground by rotating a sample 360° around two orthogonal axes and integrating the gravity vector on a time axis. Rotation control can also be used to create a Mars (1/3G) or Moon (1/6G) gravity environment, and single-axis rotation can create a hypergravity environment of up to 3G. It is used in research in regenerative medicine and gravitational biology at research institutes around the world, including NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Dr. Hirokawa, Head of Cell Culture Business Development Office at SEKISUI CHEMICAL said
“We are very excited and pleased that the addition of Ceglu to the innovative manufacturing process of SBL through this joint research will further contribute to the stable supply of high-quality stem cells, which will benefit many more patients in the future.”
Prof. Louis Yuge of Hiroshima University, CTO and Director of SBL said
“Many technologies that have been put to practical use since space development, such as low-resilience polyurethane, freeze-drying, hydroxyapatite in toothpaste, and UV-cut lenses have enriched our lives. Ceglu, a chemically-defined scaffold material, is expected to be a new material that will contribute to the production of high-quality stem cells while solving the problem of cell culture in space.”
To learn more, visit : Cell Culture Solution｜SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO.,LTD.
To learn more, visit：Product Development of Gravity Control Device “Gravite®” | SPACE BIO LABORATORIES
About SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group
Headquartered in Japan, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (TSE: 4204) and its subsidiaries make up the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. 26,000 employees in over 156 companies throughout 20 countries and regions aim to contribute to improving the lives of the people of the world and the earth’s environment. Thanks to a history of innovation, dedication and a pioneering spirit, SEKISUI CHEMICAL now holds leading positions in its three diverse business divisions as well as top global market share in interlayer film, foam products, conductive particles and more.
SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
Corporate Communication Department
Email: kouhou@sekisui.com
Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors.