ViaCyte has a number of key partnerships with commercial, academic and other non-profit institutions:
With the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CIRA), we have engaged in a scientific collaboration with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University (see our press release Dec 9, 2008). Through this work we are exploring the application of our diabetes-focused differentiation technology to iPS cell lines developed in the laboratory of Dr. Yamanaka.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded grants and loans totaling over $26M to advance ViaCyte’s development of a stem cell-based therapy for diabetes, and for other related stem cell research (our press releases May 6 and October 28, 2009).
JDRF has provided financial support for research efforts of ViaCyte and those of numerous ViaCyte collaborators. The San Diego chapter of JDRF also honored ViaCyte at its Promise Ball in San Diego on May 16, 2009 (see our press release March 2, 2009).
The Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union has awarded ViaCyte and a team of European collaborators funding for a five year effort to develop novel therapies for diabetes.
Through its research efforts, ViaCyte has developed an advanced stem cell growth media. Invitrogen, now a part of Life Technologies, has licensed and now sells this media as StemPro® hESC SFM (see our press release Aug 14, 2007). Royalties and other payments received from Life Technologies under this arrangement help to support ViaCyte’s focused development of its stem cell-based therapy for diabetes.
Pfizer has entered into a non-exclusive collaboration with ViaCyte through which Pfizer has gained access to ViaCyte pancreatic progenitor cell technology for use in its screening programs (see our press release Dec 19, 2008). Payments received from Pfizer under this arrangement help to support ViaCyte’s focused development of its stem cell-based therapy for diabetes.
ViaCyte Research and Development Services
ViaCyte's expanding IP portfolio enables the development of stem cell-based therapies in areas beyond its current focus in diabetes. Cells produced using this technology could also be optimal for cell-based screening of candidate pharmaceutical compounds. ViaCyte technology also presents opportunities for the development of products for life sciences research. As exemplified by the partnering described above, ViaCyte is open to relationships with other organizations which may be interested in these opportunities. Please contact partnering@viacyte.com for further information about partnering opportunities and ViaCyte research and development services for medical and pharmaceutical purposes related to human disease and disorders.
