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Partnership to commercialize human stem cell-derived corneal tissue for drug testing
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OCEANSIDE, Calif. — International Stem Cell Corporation has entered into a partnership with Absorption Systems to utilize its parthenogenetic stem cell-derived human corneal tissue to measure drug disposition, drug safety and drug-drug interactions, ISCO announced in a press release.
The partnership will employ Absorption Systems' in vitro assay systems to develop a better drug testing method that could reduce the necessity for laboratory animals that are presently used to perform such trials, the release said.
ISCO's corneal constructs include cell layers and structures found in the human cornea. The company's proprietary lines of parthenogenetic stem cells eliminate the need for fertilized embryos and can minimize the threat of immune rejection when used in the therapeutic setting.
ISCO plans to further develop its corneal tissue technology with the goal of routinely growing living human corneas for human corneal transplants, the release said.