StemCo Biomedical, Inc. has signed a worldwide distribution agreement whereby StemCell Technologies will distribute StemCo’s Aldefluor product. StemCell Technologies had previously distributed Aldefluor only in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific territory (excluding Japan).

Aldeflour is a kit that enables the identification of stem and progenitor cells for research purposes utilizing StemCo’s proprietary ALDH-based technology. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is an intracellular enzyme found in stem and progenitor cells. The product is manufactured under GMP and has been marketed since the beginning of 2003 as a Research Use Only (RUO) reagent.

Researchers using Aldefluor have demonstrated multiple uses for the product and described important functional attributes of cells isolated with it, know as ALDH br cells. Research publications show that virtually all the human cells that give long-term engraftment in the most stringent animal models for blood stem cell are in the ALDH br population. Aldefluor has been used to delineate the development of blood cell lineages and also to differentiate different types of leukaemia cells and leukaemia stem cells derived from blood cells. Additional studies have suggested that ALDH br cells can generate other tissues besides blood.

“We look forward to working closely with StemCell to maximize the sales potential of Aldefluor worldwide,” Ed Field, president of StemCo Biomedical said adding, “StemCell Technologies is a leader in providing innovative products to the stem cell research market and has a reputation for excellent customer and technical support.”