Censo Biotechnologies (Axol Bioscience Ltd.)

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases continue to emerge... Neuroinflammation is a key hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's disease. As such, having in vitro models that adequately represent this neuroinflammatory state provides a platform not only to further our understanding of these diseases, but to identify druggable signaling pathways that could be targeted for disease treatment. Summers et al, recently published a review showcasing new advancements in the differentiation of human iPSCs into glial, neural, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) cell types, and the integration of these cells into complex organoids. They highlighted how these advancements are relevant for modeling neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Notably, microglia were recognized as important disease regulators and principal players in controlling the neuroinflammatory environment within the central nervous system. Given their roles in multiple neuroregulatory pathways, they along with astrocytes, were deemed as a logical focus for human iPSC-derived modeling of neuroinflammation and potential therapeutic targets. It's great to see the industry's focus continuing to move towards the adoption of iPSCs to develop novel models of disease. While there are still more questions that need to be answered and more work that needs to be done, we remain hopeful about the future of iPSCs in revolutionizing drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative diseases. To read the full paper, click here: https://hubs.la/Q02X4xcc0 If you would like to discuss how you can use our axoCells microglia to develop human-relevant models for your neuroscience drug discovery and research, contact us at [email protected]. #iPSCs #StemCells #Microglia #Neuroscience

We've "climbed" all 14 peaks and have now exceeded the height of Everest! Thank you to you, our LinkedIn community, for your ongoing support in helping us reach 9000 followers. We've now surpassed 8848m (followers), meaning we have exceeded the peaks of Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Like drug discovery, climbing the world's highest peaks requires the very best of skill, teamwork, and dedication. Though we have exceed the height of Everest, our work doesn't stop here. In drug discovery, there are still more peaks to reach, more discoveries to make and more work to be done. We hope to continue to reach new heights as a community. #iPSCs #14peaks #StemCells #DrugDiscovery

Check out our SFN poster! It was great being at SfN recently. We met and spoke with many brilliant minds and at the heart of it all was the amazing science we got to share and see. Among these was a poster that was presented by one of our scientists here at Axol, David Wallbank. Establishing a robust platform for investigating the pro- and anti-inflammatory response of iPSC-derived microglia in drug discovery Microglia are the main inflammatory cell of the brain and have been implicated in the development and progression of several neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). iPSC-derived microglia provide a scalable, reproducible and physiological relevant model with which to study this role. As such, we have developed a robust protocol to generate microglia, with over 30 lines successfully differentiated, including those derived from healthy and patient donors and gene-edited lines. axoCells™ iPSC-derived microglia provide a reliable platform to study phenotypes of healthy and diseased microglia and assess the ability of novel compounds to decrease inflammation. In this study, Axol used a range of assays to investigate the activation state of microglia in response to different stimuli, as well as assessing inter batch and inter assay variability of our control (ax0664) microglia. To read more, download the poster here: https://hubs.la/Q02WBZFT0 Also if there is anything you would like to follow-up with us on from SfN, be sure to get in contact with us at [email protected], we'd be happy to have a conversation! #SfN #Microglia #iPSCs #StemCells

Prioritizing mental health as we approach the end of the year. As we step into November, we reflect on the importance of mental health, especially following October being Mental Health Month. At Axol, we recognize that just as we manufacture human iPSCs with care and precision, we must also take care of our mental wellbeing. The world of science can be intense and oftentimes demanding, so it's crucial for all of us in the field to prioritize self-care and mental health. Remember, a healthy mind fuels innovation and breakthroughs in our work. So take time to recharge, connect with colleagues, and embrace the balance between work and wellbeing. Here’s to a month of renewal and connection as we move toward the end of the year! #MentalHealthAwareness #iPSCs #ScientificCommunity #WellBeing

Something spooktacular is brewing in our potion lab, nestled in the haunted hills of Edinburgh, Scotland! Our Axol scientists work hard on brewing something extra special every day... our specialist cell culture media and accelerating supplements for iPSC-derived cells. No tricks, just treats for your cells! Happy Halloween! #HappyHalloween #MotorNeurons #SpookyScience #iPSCauldron

Axol Bioscience is at the 5th Annual Dry AMD and GA Therapeutics Summit, flying the flag for human iPSCs. We are at the 5th Annual Dry AMD and GA Therapeutics Summit and are proud to be an Exhibition partner at this year's event. As you may have already seen, Phenocell recently joined the Axol Bioscience family. This enables Axol to extend the existing product portfolio into ophthalmology, by offering iPSC-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cells and high-throughput screening services for dry AMD research and drug testing. Our presence at important events like these shows the great value we place on collaboration by meeting with existing partners and fostering new relationships with future collaborators. Attending this meeting also enables us to keep abreast of new developments and present our progress to the Dry AMD community. Our team is at Booth #1, ready to share how we're supporting the drug discovery market for Dry AMD. Dr. Florian Regent will be presenting a poster showing some of our work in the field: Harnessing the Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Accelerate Drug Discovery for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Our CEO Liam Taylor and Head of Ophthalmology Dr. @Florian Regent are in attendance. Come and talk to us if you are interested in hearing about how you can fuel your in vitro dry AMD models with our iPSC-derived RPE cells, to build a robust and relevant tool for your drug screening campaigns and Hit/Lead validation. Alternatively, you can also email us at [email protected]. #DryAMD #RPEcells

Phenocell joining the Axol Bioscience family is not just a story of an acquisition but one about uniting people and innovation for greater impact. We are thrilled to have announced our recent acquisition of Phenocell, a strategic move that significantly expands both of our product portfolios and reinforces our joint commitment to building better human models of disease using iPSCs. This partnership goes beyond just adding new products and services; it’s about uniting two teams that share a vision for advancing the development of better human disease models across multiple disease areas. One of the key reasons for this acquisition is the talented scientific team at Phenocell and their commitment to delivering high-quality science. By bringing together our expertise, we can accelerate innovation and drive meaningful advancements in our field. We are also highly aligned in our values and this shared commitment of these values of Performance, Accountability, Transparency, Acting with Integrity, Diversity and Inclusivity and Collaboration will enhance our collaborative efforts and drive innovation forward. Moreover, this acquisition demonstrates our values in action even further as highlighted below: • Performance: Through combining our innovative capabilities in the neuroscience, pain and touch, cardiovascular, ophthalmology and dermatology areas with, we are enhancing our ability to deliver high-quality solutions more effectively. • Accountability: We take responsibility for this strategic decision, ensuring that our collaboration meets the highest standards and delivers value to our community. • Transparency: Throughout the process, we have been committed to maintaining open lines of communication, fostering trust and clarity. • Acting with Integrity: This acquisition reflects our commitment to ethical practices, ensuring that our partnership aligns with our principles and mission. • Diversity and Inclusivity: We recognize the unique strengths of the Phenocell team and this acquisition shows our dedication to creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation. • Collaboration: This partnership represents a collaborative effort to combine our talents and resources, working together towards shared goals that benefit our customers and the broader community. Together, we are able to drive innovation and deliver even greater value to our customers and stakeholders. This acquisition marks a significant step forward, enhancing our ability to meet the evolving needs of the market. We look forward to leveraging our combined strengths and working together with urgency to support the industry in developing better human models of disease using iPSCs. If you have any questions concerning this acquisition or about our new products and services, contact us at [email protected]. #collaboration #humaniPSCs #AcquisitionNews #DrugDiscovery

It's #techtuesday and as always we are here to help you, our community, with any technical questions you may have. At Axol, we've spent more than a decade at the forefront of iPSC technology, developing expertise in using iPSC-derived cells for drug discovery and research. Our straightforward workflows and simple to read protocols ensure you get the best from your cells, and we are always on hand to support you in achieving your goals. In order to provide more support we have ran dedicated Tech Help Clinics to create another means by which our community can get the help they need. So, if you are wondering if we have some specific data about cells, what co-culture studies we have done or how long our cells can be cultured, take a look at one of our Tech Help Clinics related to the topic you are after. These clinics are titled: • iPSC Tech Help Clinic: Human iPSC Derived Sensory Neurons [presented by Dr. Stuart Prime] • iPSC Tech Help Clinic: Human iPSC Derived Cardiomyocytes [presented by Dr Jamie Bhagwan] • iPSC Tech Help Clinic Microglial Cells [presented by Dr. Jessica Tilman] To watch any of these Tech Clinics, visit https://hubs.la/Q02W6q-M0. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions [email protected]. #iPSCs #DrugDiscovery #StemCells #biopharma #techtuesday

Fuel your in vitro dry AMD models with our iPSC-derived RPE cells Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the therapeutic options for dry-AMD, the most common form accounting for 80-90% of cases, remain limited. A major challenge in developing effective treatments is the absence of reliable in vitro AMD models, which has slowed drug discovery efforts. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the cell type primarily affected in AMD. While primary and immortalized RPE lines have provided valuable insights into RPE functions under normal and pathological conditions, they exhibit limitations for drug discovery. To address this pressing need for dry AMD therapies, we at Axol are doing our part in developing faithful in vitro dry AMD models through the production of functionally relevant RPE cells. We have extensively characterized our iPSC-derived RPE cells for phenotypic and functional relevance. Key highlights include: • Expression of key markers (MITF, ZO-1, PMEL17) by immunostaining • Typical pigmented and cobblestone morphology • High purity, with >95% PMEL 17 expression on flow cytometry • Outer retinal barrier resistance measured via volt/ohm meter • Functional relevance in phagocytosis assay We’re also applying our extensive technical expertise and operational excellence to offer iPSC products and a range of outsourced services for dry AMD research such as High-throughput screening services. To find out more about our products and services to support drug discovery and research for AMD, download our new brochure here: https://hubs.la/Q02VZkSX0 Contact us at [email protected], if you have any questions or for a quotation. #dryAMD #RPECells #iPSCs

We have created the first in vitro model that captures key mechanisms involved in RPE atrophy in age-related macular degeneration using human iPSCs. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the therapeutic options for dry-AMD, the most common form accounting for 80-90% of cases, remain limited. A major challenge in developing effective treatments is the absence of reliable in vitro AMD models, which has slowed drug discovery efforts. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the cell type primarily affected in AMD. While primary and immortalized RPE lines have provided valuable insights into RPE functions under normal and pathological conditions, they exhibit limitations for drug discovery. In a recent poster titled "Harnessing the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells to accelerate drug discovery for age-related macular degeneration", we at Axol Bioscience sought to establish a highly relevant in vitro AMD model by developing a protocol for the large-scale differentiation of multiple iPSC lines into RPE cells. The cells were then treated with chronic low doses of A2E, and exposed to blue light, simulating lipofuscin accumulation, an aging mechanism implicated in AMD. Our results demonstrated that this combination of stressors induced AMD hallmarks in iPSC-derived RPE cells, including increased oxidative stress, complement pathway activation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and RPE atrophy. As such we have been able to create the first in vitro model that faithfully recapitulates key mechanisms involved in RPE atrophy associated with AMD. Moreover, we collected multiple patient cell lines to be able to account for the impact of genetic backgrounds on the efficacy of potential treatments. Dr. Florian Regent, Head of Ophthalmology at Axol, will be presenting this poster at the 5th Dry AMD & GA Therapeutics Summit, 28-30 October in Boston, USA. If you will be at the Summit, come over to Booth #1 to find out more. Alternatively, you can download our Dry AMD Brochure here https://hubs.la/Q02VQgjD0 or email us at [email protected]. #dryAMD #humanIPSCs #iPSCCommunity