MADISON,
Wis., May 25, 2016
Cellular
Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI), a FUJIFILM company, today
announced an agreement with The Michael J.
Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) to derive induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from 85 people in the MJFF-sponsored Parkinson's
Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). The collaborators will provide the cells
to the scientific community in concert with rich available clinical and imaging
data on these study volunteers in service to their shared goal to provide
resources to accelerate the development of new therapies.
Key
Points
This
Golub Capital iPSC PPMI Sub-study is funded by nationally recognized credit
asset management firm Golub Capital, led by Lawrence and David Golub; David
Golub is a member of the MJFF Board of Directors.
In
connection with Indiana University, 85 iPS cell lines will be derived from PPMI
volunteers [with and without Parkinson's disease (PD)] and banked in
Indianapolis.
Generation
of iPSC lines from individual patients will allow researchers to look at how
diversity between patients influences the causes and progression of PD; this
research could potentially lead to the development of treatments for particular
subgroups of patients.
PD
is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects 5 million people
worldwide and as many as 1 million in the United States. PD has no cure, and
current treatment options only address some symptoms.
iPSC
technology provides unique advantages for improving understanding of PD.
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Quotes
Mark
Frasier, PhD, Senior Vice President, The Michael J. Fox Foundation,
said, "This collaboration builds on the contributions of PPMI volunteers
and the technical expertise of CDI to generate valuable research tools. Our
Foundation's continued commitment to open-access data and biospecimens speeds
discovery toward greater understanding of Parkinson's disease and development
of novel therapies."
Kaz
Hirao, CDI Chairman and CEO, said, "Our partnership with
The Michael J. Fox Foundation builds on our proven expertise in iPSC
generation and looks ahead to the development of innovative clinical
applications for these cells. Both by expanding access to research tools and by
evaluating new avenues for cellular therapy, we are eager to help in the search
for therapies that could provide long-lasting benefits for patients with
Parkinson's disease."
Leadership
Support
This
pilot project, called the Golub Capital iPSC PPMI Sub-study, is made possible
through leadership support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation by Golub Capital, a
leader in credit investment management managing over $15 billion of capital
with offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Charlotte.
About
Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a FUJIFILM company
Cellular
Dynamics International (CDI), a FUJIFILM company, is a leading developer and
manufacturer of human cells used in drug discovery, toxicity testing, stem cell
banking, and cell therapy development. The Company partners with innovators
from around the world to combine biologically relevant human cells with the
newest technologies to drive advancements in medicine and healthier living.
CDI's technology offers the potential to create induced pluripotent stem cells
(iPSCs) from anyone, starting with a standard blood draw, and followed by the
powerful capability to develop into virtually any cell type in the human body.
Our proprietary manufacturing system produces billions of cells daily,
resulting in inventoried iCell® products and donor-specific MyCell® Products in
the quantity, quality, purity, and reproducibility required for drug and cell
therapy development. Founded in 2004 by Dr. James Thomson, a pioneer in human
pluripotent stem cell research, Cellular Dynamics is based in Madison,
Wisconsin, with a second facility in Novato, California. For more information
please visit www.cellulardynamics.com
and follow us on Twitter @CellDynamics.
FUJIFILM
Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan brings continuous innovation and leading-edge
products to a broad spectrum of industries, including: healthcare, with medical
systems, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; graphic systems; highly functional
materials, such as flat panel display materials; optical devices, such as
broadcast and cinema lenses; digital imaging; and document products. These are
based on a vast portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic,
software and production technologies. Fujifilm is committed to environmental
stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit:
www.fujifilmholdings.com.
About
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
As
the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J.
Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and
improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation
pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research
program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's
patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers.
In addition to funding more than $525 million in research to date, the
Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure.
Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges
groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and
government research funders; increases the flow of participants into
Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder;
promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and
outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox
members around the world.
All
product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
MEDIA
CONTACTS:
Tony
Russo, Ph.D., or Lena Evans
Russo
Partners, LLC
(212)
845-4251
(212)
845-4262
Lisabeth
Weiner
Lisabeth
Weiner Consultants, Inc.
(312)
252-7360
(312)
485-6211 (cell)
SOURCE
Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a FUJIFILM company
Related Links
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cellular-dynamics-announces-partnership-with-the-michael-j-fox-foundation-for-parkinsons-research-to-provide-resources-for-developing-new-therapies-300274514.html
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