Axiogenesis In-Licenses Yamanaka Patent Portfolio from iPS Academia Japan Covering Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology

Axiogenesis AG and iPS Academia Japan Inc. (Kyoto, Japan) announced that they have executed a non-exclusive agreement with iPS Academia (Kyoto, Japan) through which Axiogenesis obtains worldwide access to the extensive portfolio of induced pluripotent stem cell ("iPSC”) technology for iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and other cell types, pioneered by Professor Shinya Yamanaka, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at the University of Kyoto, Japan.

Axiogenesis AG is a pioneer of murine embryonic stem cell ("ESC”) technology and the world leader in stem cell-derived products. Its proprietary production technology enables the commercialization of pure stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (branded as Cor.At^® and marketed since four years) and endothelial cells (Endo.At^®) of outstanding product quality. Both product families are marketed worldwide by Lonza. www.lonza.com/corat

The first human iPS derived cardiomyocyte product to be launched as early as August 2010 is a screening service termed Cor.4U-MEA^® . This electrophysiological compound profiling service uses cardiomyocytes on micro electrode array (MEA) analysis.

Axiogenesis AG is a recognized partner of several global pharmaceutical and biotech companies and offers a unique service portfolio, which evolved Cor.At cardiomyocytes as a standard tool for cardiac toxicology, safety pharmacology and drug discovery. Currently, Axiogenesis expands and translates its portfolio with iPSC derived human and murine cells.

Dr. Heribert Bohlen, CEO of Axiogenesis: "The combination of Professor Yamanaka’s outstanding iPSC technology and Axiogenesis’ unique stem cell-derived tissue production technique opens a variety of wonderful opportunities for the generation of predictive disease models and the further use in drug development and safety pharmacology. This collaboration will substantially strengthen Axiogenesis’ position in the global stem cell market especially as we are the only company covering both murine and human in vitro model systems."

Axiogenesis is the first European company receiving the iPSC technology related patent license from iPS Academia Japan Inc. Under this agreement, Axiogenesis will substantially expand its portfolio with human iPSC-derived products, complementing and translating its established murine ESC-derived products and services.
Osamu Yoshida, M.D., Ph.D., president and Chief Executive Officer of iPS Academia Japan Inc., commented, "We are pleased to build a faithful relationship with Axiogenesis AG through this agreement and believe that this is a significant step for the future of both of us working in the iPSC technology field. We are also pleased that this is the first iPSC technology related patent license agreement executed with Axiogenesis AG, an European company following an agreement with an American company in May, 2010, which is a big step forward to practical use worldwide by companies in Japan, USA and Europe. Two years have passed since the establishment of iPS Academia Japan Inc. and we are delighted with the current situation of practical uses of iPSC related technologies is moving forward and expanding broadly in the world based on patent licenses of the iPSCs related technology.”

About iPS Academia Japan:
iPS Academia Japan, Inc. (AJ) is an affiliate of Kyoto University and its main role is, among other activities, to manage and utilize the patents and other intellectual properties held/controlled by Kyoto University and other universities in the field of iPSC technologies so that the research results might contribute to health and welfare worldwide. AJ was established at Kyoto on June 2008. AJ’s patents portfolio consists of approximately twenty patent families (the total number of patent applications is about 100 cases) in the iPSC technology as of July 2010, and more than 10 license arrangements have been done with domestic and international enterprises.

Further information can be found at www.ips-cell.net

About Axiogenesis AG:
Axiogenesis was founded in 2000 and is a located in Cologne, Germany. Its core business is the production and use of transgenic and physiologically relevant tissues and cells derived from iPSC (human and mouse) and ESC (mouse) in drug development. Disease models mimicking human conditions and metabolic diseases represent the backbone of Axiogenesis drug development platform. The primary-like cells display normal physiological behavior and are used in pharmacology and safety screening by the pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetics industries.
Axiogenesis technology reduces time and cost of drug development by weeding out the toxic or ineffective candidates early on in the drug development process and focusing the clinical trials by providing information necessary for stratification in phase II clinical trials.

Further information can be found at www.axiogenesis.com.