Millipore Corporation Licenses Novel Stem Cell Technology from Boston University School of Medicine

Boston and Billerica, MA - August 6, 2009 – Boston University and Millipore Corporation today announced a licensing agreement for a highly efficient method for creating induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells derived from mouse fibroblasts by using a single virus vector instead of multiple viruses in the reprogramming process. The vector has been licensed to Millipore for nonhuman research reagent use and is expected to be made commercially available later this year. The powerful laboratory tool was created last December by a Boston University School of Medicine research team led by Assistant Professor Gustavo Mostoslavsky and represents a significant step toward the application of embryonic stem cell-like cells for clinical purposes such as the regeneration of organs damaged by inherited or degenerative diseases, including emphysema, diabetes, spinal cord damage, and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Induced pluripotent stem cells have tremendous potential for disease research and regenerative medicine,” said John Sweeney, Vice President of the Life Sciences Strategic Business Unit. “However, even the leading scientists in the field have noted that existing reprogramming methods are time-consuming and inefficient(1). This new method will help these scientists quicken the pace of this important research.”

“We believe the vector constitutes an important step forward in bringing stem cell technology to market,” said Dr. Ashley Stevens, Executive Director of the Boston University Technology Development Office. “We are excited about Boston University’s cutting-edge program in this important field of research.”

(1) Yamanaka, S. Elite and stochastic models for induced pluripotent stem cell generation. Nature 460, 49-52 (2009).

About the Research Breakthrough

The research was published last December in the journal Stem Cells, titled “iPS Cell Generation Using a Single Lentiviral Stem Cell Cassette.”

Prior research studies have required multiple retroviral vectors for reprogramming -- steps that depended on four different viruses to transfer genes into the cells’ DNA – essentially a separate virus for each reprogramming gene (Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and cMyc). Upon activation these genes convert the cells from their adult, differentiated status to what amounts to an embryonic-like state.

However, the high number of genomic integrations -- 15 to 20 -- that typically occur when multiple viruses are used for reprogramming poses a safety risk in humans, as some of these genes (i.e., cMyc) can cause cancer. In addition, the viruses can integrate in random genomic locations, potentially turning on oncogenes.

The major milestone achieved by the six-member research team, led by Gustavo Mostoslavsky, Boston University Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Gastroenterology, was to combine the four vectors into a single “stem cell cassette” containing all four genes. The cassette (named STEMCCA) is comprised of a single, multicistronic mRNA encoding the four transcription factors using a combination of 2A peptide technology and an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES).

With the STEMCCA vector, the researchers were able to generate iPS cells much more efficiently – typically 10 times higher than in previously reported studies. “The use of a single lentiviral vector for the derivation of iPS cells will help reduce the variability in efficiency that has been observed between different laboratories, thus enabling more consistent genetic and biochemical characterizations of iPS cells and the reprogramming process,” the researchers concluded.

About Boston University

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 30,000 students, it is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school's research and teaching mission.

About Millipore

Millipore (NYSE: MIL) is a Life Science leader providing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As a strategic partner, we collaborate with customers to confront the world’s challenging human health issues. From research to development to production, our scientific expertise and innovative solutions help customers tackle their most complex problems and achieve their goals. Millipore Corporation is an S&P 500 company with more than 5,900 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.millipore.com.

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