Axol Bioscience Ltd.

Fuel your in vitro dry AMD models with our iPSC-derived RPE cells Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the therapeutic options for dry-AMD, the most common form accounting for 80-90% of cases, remain limited. A major challenge in developing effective treatments is the absence of reliable in vitro AMD models, which has slowed drug discovery efforts. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the cell type primarily affected in AMD. While primary and immortalized RPE lines have provided valuable insights into RPE functions under normal and pathological conditions, they exhibit limitations for drug discovery. To address this pressing need for dry AMD therapies, we at Axol are doing our part in developing faithful in vitro dry AMD models through the production of functionally relevant RPE cells. We have extensively characterized our iPSC-derived RPE cells for phenotypic and functional relevance. Key highlights include: • Expression of key markers (MITF, ZO-1, PMEL17) by immunostaining • Typical pigmented and cobblestone morphology • High purity, with >95% PMEL 17 expression on flow cytometry • Outer retinal barrier resistance measured via volt/ohm meter • Functional relevance in phagocytosis assay We’re also applying our extensive technical expertise and operational excellence to offer iPSC products and a range of outsourced services for dry AMD research such as High-throughput screening services. To find out more about our products and services to support drug discovery and research for AMD, download our new brochure here: https://hubs.la/Q02VZj7r0 Contact us at operations@axolbio.com, if you have any questions or for a quotation. #dryAMD #RPECells #iPSCs

We have created the first in vitro model that captures key mechanisms involved in RPE atrophy in age-related macular degeneration using human iPSCs. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the therapeutic options for dry-AMD, the most common form accounting for 80-90% of cases, remain limited. A major challenge in developing effective treatments is the absence of reliable in vitro AMD models, which has slowed drug discovery efforts. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the cell type primarily affected in AMD. While primary and immortalized RPE lines have provided valuable insights into RPE functions under normal and pathological conditions, they exhibit limitations for drug discovery. In a recent poster titled "Harnessing the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells to accelerate drug discovery for age-related macular degeneration", we at Axol Bioscience sought to establish a highly relevant in vitro AMD model by developing a protocol for the large-scale differentiation of multiple iPSC lines into RPE cells. The cells were then treated with chronic low doses of A2E, and exposed to blue light, simulating lipofuscin accumulation, an aging mechanism implicated in AMD. Our results demonstrated that this combination of stressors induced AMD hallmarks in iPSC-derived RPE cells, including increased oxidative stress, complement pathway activation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and RPE atrophy. As such we have been able to create the first in vitro model that faithfully recapitulates key mechanisms involved in RPE atrophy associated with AMD. Moreover, we collected multiple patient cell lines to be able to account for the impact of genetic backgrounds on the efficacy of potential treatments. Dr. Florian Regent, Head of Ophthalmology at Axol, will be presenting this poster at the 5th Dry AMD & GA Therapeutics Summit, 28-30 October in Boston, USA. If you will be at the Summit, come over to Booth #1 to find out more. Alternatively, you can download our Dry AMD Brochure here https://hubs.la/Q02VQly40 or email us at operations@axolbio.com. #dryAMD #humanIPSCs #iPSCCommunity

iPSC—MEA data alert! Axol has published a new whitepaper showing characterization data of a human iPSC-derived motor neuron disease model for ALS drug discovery using Axion BioSystems' Maestro Pro. We have recently published a new whitepaper where we collaborated with Axion BioSystems by using their Maestro Pro to characterize a human iPSC-derived motor neuron disease model for ALS drug discovery. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the progressive loss of motor neuron function, of which there is currently no cure. With current treatment aimed mainly at symptomatic relief, there is a need for better treatment options for patients with this debilitating disease. Key to this, is having better in vitro models of ALS that are more translational relevant. At Axol, our work in the iPSC space aims to support the industry's journey towards this through the production of iPSC-derived motor neurons fit for disease modelling. We understand the importance of characterizing these cells to ensure that are functionally relevant. This is essential for establishing reliable disease models, as it ensures that the cells accurately reflect the key pathological features of ALS, such as hyperexcitability. In this whitepaper, we characterized motor neurons morphologically and functionally, via multielectrode array from 4 different lines. The data illustrated in the whitepaper demonstrated how the ALS phenotype lines displayed a reproducible loss of synchronous firing and different degrees of hyperexcitability. This is in accordance with expected ALS clinical pathology and supports the case for the use of these cells in experimental in vitro models to study ALS pathology and potential therapeutics. Read the full whitepaper here: https://hubs.la/Q02VQ2Px0 Learn more about axoCells Motor Neurons: https://hubs.la/Q02VQ0vF0 If you have any questions, contact us at operations@axolbio.com. #iPSCs #MotorNeurons #MEA #ALS

As the ALS research community urgently looks to utilize more relevant and accessible in vitro models, we continue our work to manufacture, characterize, and understand iPSC-derived motor neurons. In our recent launch of the 'axoCells™ ALS Toolbox' we shared manufacturing and characterization data from 6 iPSC-derived motor neurons - including two unaffected donors, one C9orf72 carrying donor (a sibling to one of the ALS donors), and three donors each carrying significant genotypes associated with ALS, SOD1, C9orf72 and TDP43. We have shared production QC data from running each line three times, demonstrating consistency. Importantly, this set allows us to compare lines and measure by ICC, SNA and MEA phenotypes and evaluate hyperexcitability and synchronicity between lines. We will discuss this set and its application to ALS in vitro models on this webinar - register below. About ALS: ALS is the most common form of motor neuron disease, where the progressive destruction of motor neurons leads to loss of muscular functions including walking, talking, swallowing, and breathing. There is currently no cure. With treatment aimed at symptomatic relief and prolonging survival, most patients live only 3-5 years from the onset of symptoms. With limited treatment options and a predicted 69% increase in cases by 2040, attention has turned to in vitro ALS models that use human iPSCs from healthy or ALS patient donors. We with many others are working with urgency toward the development of better, more human in vitro tools to support effective drug discovery. Learn more about axoCells Motor Neurons: https://lnkd.in/eNu3DApi To find out more about our new axoCells ALS toolbox, download our latest ALS brochure by visiting the following link: https://lnkd.in/ep3AJffr For a quotation, contact operations@axolbio.com or one of our authorized distributors. #ProductLaunch #NeurodegenerativeResearch #HumanRelevantModels #Webinar #ScientificCommunity #humaniPSCs #ScientificAdvances

iPSCs: An Alternative for Better Patient Stratification in Neurodegenerative Disease Trials Given the 99.6% failure rate in drug development, our CEO Liam Taylor emphasizes the critical need for innovative strategies. By leveraging iPSCs for patient stratification, we could effectively screen compounds and identify mutations that demonstrate positive responses. This also provides the opportunity to increase the number of iPSC patient lines and thereby minimize the number of patients needed for recruitment in clinical trials. Such would also increase the diversity of the iPSC patient lines to better reflect the population, leading to more accurate and efficient trials. Our commitment in supporting the community by manufacturing high-quality iPSCs under ISO 9001 accredited conditions, consistently and at scale, is essential and is our contribution to revolutionizing this process and enhancing outcomes for patients. Let's continue to make progress and drive real transformative change for neurodegenerative disease patients. To found out more about our iPSCs, view our Catalog here https://lnkd.in/epUnnZWt or alternatively email us at operations@axolbio.com. #IPSCs #research #betterhumandiseasemodels #drugdiscovery #alzheimersdisease #alzheimersresearch

Join us today at 4pm (BST) for our live event "A new set of iPSC-derived motor neurons for ALS drug discovery." presented by Hannah Sharplin. In this live event, we will cover: ·      iPSC-derived models to support ALS drug discovery ·      The development of an 'ALS Toolbox' ·      Our characterization methods of our axoCells in this toolbox and associated results ·      Our next steps We look forward to sharing our work and journey so far in supporting the development of better in vitro models for ALS. It is not too late to register. Learn more about axoCells Motor Neurons: https://lnkd.in/eNu3DApi To find out more about our new axoCells ALS toolbox, download our latest ALS brochure by visiting the following link: https://lnkd.in/ep3AJffr For a quotation, contact operations@axolbio.com or one of our authorized distributors. #ProductLaunch #NeurodegenerativeResearch #HumanRelevantModels #Webinar #ScientificCommunity #humaniPSCs #ScientificAdvances

Axol Bioscience is the first choice for products and services to support drug discovery and research for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Identify new pharmaceutical active ingredients with our selection of innovative high-throughput bioassays using iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Axol’s dry AMD model is based on the use of iPSC-derived RPE cells from multiple donors including cells differentiated from healthy donors, and cells from AMD patients with risk alleles. We have a range of high-throughput bioassays including: ·      growth factor secretion ·       outer retinal barrier resistance ·      phagocytosis ·      immunolabelling ·      oxidative stress ·      cell viability While every project is unique, we utilize established workflows to ensure projects are conducted efficiently with a kick-off meeting, open communication and full data sharing. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ewHmX5_Y or get in contact with us at operations@axolbio.com #dryAMD #RPECells #iPSCs

Axol is working with urgency to build better models of ALS. We, alongside the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research community are working with urgency to build better models of ALS that can serve as better platforms to support better drug discovery. ALS is the most common form of motor neuron disease, where the progressive destruction of motor neurons leads to loss of muscular functions including walking, talking, swallowing and breathing. There is currently no cure. Therefore, we continue to do our part by working tirelessly to manufacture, characterize and understand iPSC-derived motor neurons, in order to support their use to build relevant and accessible in vitro models for ALS. As a significant step, we have recently launched a new toolbox to further support the development of better in vitro models of ALS called, the 'axoCells ALS Toolbox'. This toolbox comprises of 6 iPSC-derived motor neurons: -Two unaffected donors; (ax0076: From a male donor, 40-50 years old at time of donation, and ax0078: From a male donor, 74 years old at time of donation) -A C9orf72 carrying donor (ax0073: From a C9orf72 male who asymptomatic at time of sample. He is the sibling to ax0074 donor. 62 years old at time of donation) -Three ALS donors: (ax0735: From a female ALS donor with SOD1 mutation, 61 years old at time of donation, ax0079: From a female ALS donor with TDP43 mutation, 62 years old at time of donation, and ax0074: From a female ALS donor with C9orf72 mutation, 64 years old at time of donation) We have shared our manufacturing and characterization data of the above 6 cell lines as well as the production QC data from running each line three times in our recent launch event, demonstrating consistency. This set allows us to compare different lines and measure them using immunocytochemistry, spontaneous neural activity, and multi-electrode array phenotypes, enabling us to evaluate hyperexcitability and synchronicity between the lines. We will discuss this set and its application to ALS in vitro models in our upcoming webinar taking place this week Thursday the 24th October which will be presented by one of our Research Assistants here at Axol, Hannah Sharplin, who specialises in the differentiation of iPSCs and cell-based assays. Learn more about axoCells Motor Neurons: https://lnkd.in/eNu3DApi To find out more about our new axoCells ALS toolbox, download our latest ALS brochure by visiting the following link: https://lnkd.in/ep3AJffr For a quotation, contact operations@axolbio.com or one of our authorized distributors. #ProductLaunch #NeurodegenerativeResearch #HumanRelevantModels #Webinar #ScientificCommunity #humaniPSCs #ScientificAdvances

Axol Bioscience Scientific Group Leader, Dr. Jamie Bhagwan presented on the subject of chamber-specific pharmacology in iPSC-derived cardio models today at the 2024 Nanion Technologies User Meeting, Munich. Jamie's presentation was entitled, "Chamber-specific pharmacological responses of axoCells™ hiPSC-derived Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes on the FLEXcyte96 platform" and shared data generated in partnership with innoVitro using Nanion's FLEXcyte96 platform. The study sought to investigate the base characteristics and pharmacological differences between commercially available chamber-specific atrial or ventricular human iPSC cardiomyocytes seeded onto ultrathin, flexible PDMS membranes to simultaneously measure contractility in a 96 multi-well format. The study also investigated the effects of GPCR agonists (acetylcholine and carbachol), a Ca2+ channel agonist (S-Bay K8644), an HCN channel antagonist (ivabradine) and K+ channel antagonists (4-AP and vernakalant). Overall, they were able to gain valuable insights that illustrated the key pharmacological differences between chamber-specific cardiomyocytes and their application on a multi-well contractility platform. This in turn provides further insight for in vitro cardiac liability studies and disease modelling. Be sure to catch Dr. Jamie Bhagwan at Nanion Technologies HQ today to learn more. Interested in using our axoCells Cardiomyocytes to support your cardiovascular research? Contact us at operations@axolbio.com, let's have a conversation. #iPSCs #Cardiomyocytes #UserMeeting #Collaboration

Building functionally relevant in vitro models of Alzheimer’s Disease with patient-derived iPSCs... Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) embodies the complex coordination of neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and neurotoxic mediator responses of a multitude of neural cell types. Current animal models are limited in their representation of an in vivo human response, cell numbers, and reproducibility. Therefore, the use of AD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) alongside reliable and reproducible differentiation methods allows for large-scale generation of more physiologically relevant in vitro disease models to facilitate drug discovery research progression. At ELRIG Drug Discovery 2024, one of the posters that was presented (Poster #244) was by Helena Raine, one of our Research Assistants here at Axol titled: Building a functionally relevant in-vitro model of Alzheimer’s Disease with patient-derived iPSCs. In this body of work, we utilized our extensive library of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patient donor lines to generate multiple neural cell types. The preliminary data shown in this poster represents some of the characterization and functional data that we can generate across multiple cell lines with different AD-related mutations, and across multiple neural cell types. Also, observed differences in patient cell line neuronal responses demonstrates that patient stratification could aid development of AD treatments. This initial work suggests that physiologically representative, reproducible, and reliable in vitro disease modelling and drug screening is possible with patient derived cells. To read more, you can download the full poster here: https://hubs.la/Q02Vs08P0 Also if there is anything you would like to follow-up with us on from ELRIG, be sure to get in contact with us at operations@axolbio.com, we'd be happy to have a conversation. #iPSCs #ELRIG #DrugDiscovery2024 #NeurodegenerativeResearch #AlzheimersDisease #DrugDiscovery