Stockholm-based BioLamina recently signed a new R&D agreement with Roche to develop novel cell culture systems.

The systems will be aimed at various applications, including stem cell research. BioLamina’s and Roche’s collaboration will focus on assessing laminin-based in-vitro cell culture matrices offering highly physiological microenvironments for living cells.

According to BioLamina, laminins are proteins located in the extracellular matrix providing the stability essential for cell growth and behavior. They have a tissue-specific distribution, including expression of specific laminins during embryonic development. This makes them interesting as regards new biologically relevant cell culturing techniques.

“We’re delighted that Roche has recognized the potential of our products and technology, which we believe will significantly complement their expertise and capabilities in cell culturing. By resolving many of the technical obstacles currently blocking the road to modern cell therapy, we expect this collaboration to accelerate the development of innovative cell culturing solutions that can possibly enable cell therapy,” states Kristian Tryggvason, CEO of BioLamina in a press release.

Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will provide research and development funding as well as scientific expertise to BioLamina. The financial details were not disclosed in the press information that was released in the beginning of March.

This is the second deal for BioLamina this year. In January, the company announced an exclusive global distribution agreement with Gothenburg-based Vitrolife. The deal concerns Vitrolife’s cryopreservation medium F1 OMNI for various cell types. The agreement will allow BioLamina to diversify its portfolio within the primary cell culture space. The company’s objective is to provide a one-stop-shop for defined cell culture reagents for primary cell culture and stem cell therapy.