(Left) PHC: Cell Expansion System LiCellGrow, (Right) Cyfuse: Bio 3D Printer
TOKYO -- PHC Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Nobuaki Nakamura; hereafter referred to as “PHC”), a subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kyoko Deguchi), and Cyfuse Biomedical K.K. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shizuka Akieda; hereafter referred to as “Cyfuse”) announced the successful development of a new production technology(*1) for the commercialization of the field of regenerative and cell therapy. This achievement is the result of a strategic collaboration(*2) and joint research between the two companies.
The new production technology enables real-time monitoring of the quality of 3D cell products, which are living cells in three-dimensional structures. This type of monitoring, which has been historically challenging for researchers, in turn supports more stable manufacturing of quality cell products. In this collaboration, Cyfuse used its proprietary Bio 3D Printing technology to manufacture 3D cell constructs and PHC used in-line monitoring technology in its LiCellGrowTM(*3) cell expansion system under development to track metabolic activity in the cell constructs. By combining these technologies, the companies successfully improved the quality and stability of 3D cell products during cultivation.
To build on this development, PHC and Cyfuse aim to develop a next-generation type of cell expansion system called a circulation cell culture system that incorporates the new production technology. This new device will seek to identify critical process parameters in the 3D cell product manufacturing process, monitor cell conditions in real time during production, and optimize the manufacturing process based on the state of the cells. The companies hope to contribute to improving the quality and stability of 3D cell products like those Cyfuse develops.
The details of this development will be presented at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, scheduled to be held at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan from March 20 to March 22, 2025. The companies will showcase their research findings through poster presentations, focusing on the ongoing development of the circulation cell culture system, as well as the quality evaluation of Cyfuse's 3D cell products cultured using this system.
PHC and Cyfuse will continue to advance their joint research efforts to accelerate the practical application of various production technologies. The companies also aim to expand the value chain within the growing field of regenerative and cell therapy. They will seek to promote research and development, technological innovation, and the creation of new products, including Cyfuse’s regenerative medicine products. Furthermore, by strengthening corporate collaboration including strategic partnerships, PHC and Cyfuse are committed to driving growth and advancement in this field through this partnership.
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*1 By utilizing PHC's In-Line Monitoring technology, glucose and lactate concentrations in the culture medium can be measured in real time, allowing for automatic medium replacement based on their concentrations to optimize the culture environment. This technology enables precise control of glucose concentration, one of the critical parameters in the culture process of three-dimensional cellular structures, such as Cyfuse’s 3D cell products, to maintain it at the desired level.
*2 For more details, please refer to the press release dated August 2, 2023, titled “PHC Corporation and Cyfuse Biomedical K.K. Enter into Strategic Collaboration Agreement in the Field of Regenerative and Cell Therapy.”
www.phchd.com/jp/phc/news/2023/0802 (Japanese Only)
www.cyfusebio.com/archives/1216 (Japanese Only)
*3 This product, a cell expansion system for research purposes, is currently under development toward commercialization, including potential implementation for medical applications. A prototype of the device was exhibited at “Regenerative Medicine JAPAN 2024” (held in October 2024).
https://www.phchd.com/jp/phc/news/2024/1001 (Japanese only)
