STEMCELL Technologies Signs Exclusive License with IU Innovation and Commercialization Office for Inner Ear Organoid Technology

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The inner ear contains organs responsible for detecting sounds and maintaining balance, both of which are mediated by a sensory cell called the hair cell due to its specialized protrusions resembling tiny hairs.

Hair cell dysfunction can result in many types of hearing and balance problems. Further, these cells in humans have limited abilities to regenerate and are very inaccessible for scientists to study. Drs. Eri Hashino and Karl Koehler, however, have derived methods for generating inner ear organoids from pluripotent stem cells in a dish. These organoids offer a renewable source to generate functional hair cells useful for many applications from basic research to drug screening.

Dr. Allen Eaves, STEMCELL’s President and CEO, commented that “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Indiana University Innovation and Commercialization Office, which will enable us to offer important tools to the scientific community. We expect to develop products from this license that enable scientists to have access to sensory cells in sufficient quantities needed to develop therapeutic cures for hearing and balance disorders.”

“It is exciting that STEMCELL Technologies has licensed the inner ear organoid technology,” Karl Koehler said. “STEMCELL’s leadership in this sector means there will be an opportunity for scientists worldwide to use inner ear organoids to conduct research that may lead to new treatments for people affected by hearing and balance issues.”

About STEMCELL Technologies

As Scientists Helping Scientists, STEMCELL is committed to providing high-quality cell culture media, cell isolation products, accessory reagents and services for life science research. Driven by science and a passion for quality, STEMCELL offers over 2500 products designed to support the basic to translational research continuum. Visit www.stemcell.com.

About Indiana University ICO

Indiana University ICO protects and commercializes technology emanating from innovations by IU researchers. Since 1997, IU research has generated almost 3,000 inventions resulting in more than 4,500 global patent applications. These discoveries have generated more than $142 million in licensing and royalty income, including more than $115 million in funding for IU departments, labs and inventors.

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