ReproCELL, Inc., a leading pioneer in commercializing human pluripotent stem cells, has licensed worldwide right to commercialize hepatocytes derived from human iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells.

ReproCELL has been collaborating with the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation (NIBIO) to establish an effective in-vitro drug screening for hepatic toxicity and liver metabolism using hepatocytes derived from human iPS cells since early this year.

Together with NIBIO, the company successfully established the hepatocytes which highly express active drug metabolizing enzyme. Currently, the company is evaluating the system using various drugs with pharmaceutical companies to observe how the drugs are metabolized.  

According to a ReproCELL press release, the company is planning to launch the product in Q2 2012. Prior to the launch, sample of the cells will become available for testing to pharmaceutical and biotech companies in January 2012.

ReproCELL is a world-leading pioneer in commercializing human pluripotent stem cells as an effective tool for drug discovery and development.