Mölndal, Sweden, April. 29, 2013

Cellectricon, a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening technologies and services, invites researchers to join a webinar investigating new methods for approaching drug development in the fields of CNS and chronic pain. The webinar, entitled ‘A Novel Approach to Discovery Using Electric Field Stimulation Assays for Cytoskeletal Disturbances’, will be held on Thursday 16th May, 11am-12pm (EDT) and will offer attendees an ideal opportunity to hear first-hand how compound profiling and Cellectricon’s powerful Cellaxess® Elektra platform can advance research in the area. To register for the webinar visit our events page.

Detailing real-life examples, the webinar will provide listeners with an insight into electric field stimulation using the Cellaxess Elektra, and the advanced solution it offers for novel, excitable cell-based assays. The speakers – Dr Mattias Karlsson (Chief Technology Officer, Cellectricon) and Dr Paul Karila (Head of Discovery Services, Cellectricon) – will guide listeners through the technology, applications and key principles for successful phenotypic assays in cytoskeletal research. As such, the webinar will be of particular benefit to scientists and clinical development managers looking to enhance assay workflow and protocols in the fields of neurobiology, lead discovery, in vitro screening and translational science, to name a few key areas.

For more information on Cellectricon, or to register for the webinar visit www.cellectricon.com

Cellectricon is excited to announce the release of its first newsletter. Containing insightful information about the launch of our new Discovery Services, including the capabilities of our revolutionary technology and an interview with Dr Paul Karila (Head of Discovery Services), the newsletter is an ideal way to keep up-to-date with all our news and events.

With all our newsletters, we aim to provide an informative resource for researchers and upcoming content will range from industry-relevant news stories to application case studies and expert advice.

To see our latest newsletter and to sign up, please visit www.cellectricon.com

Q) Why has Cellectricon decided to launch its Discovery Services, and how does this benefit the Pharmaceutical industry?

A) The business landscape of Pharma is changing. With recent failures and increasing costs, the Pharma industry is experiencing increased investor pressure to be more agile and cost-aware.

At Cellectricon, we have expanded our offerings, so the drug discovery industry can now access the many benefits afforded by our advanced technologies as part of our Discovery Services offering.

Q) What do the Discovery Services offer and what can users expect?

A) The process of drug discovery is a risky business, and late stage attrition can incur considerable cost. By equipping customers with better decision-making information regarding compound progression, we cut the risk and avoid the cost.

Thanks to the combination of our large Drug Discovery (DDx) experience and unique technology to selectively stimulate excitable cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes, we offer screening in disease relevant cellular and tissue models earlier. In this way, collaborators can avoid costly development of candidates without efficacy on the native target. Since we use a “phenotypic approach”, we also have the possibility to detect compounds acting along entire disease pathways, including activity toward previously unknown targets.

Q) What does Pharma gain from outsourcing?

A) As I see it, you want to outsource for two main reasons. The first reason being the access to leading expertise or technology, in an area that may lie outside the reach of internal resources. I definitely think we operate in this category, enabling Pharma companies to reduce internal risk, focus their resources and be assured of exceptional quality standards. Using an outsourcing partner also provides extra flexibility, for when you need extra capacity.

Q) What sets the Discovery Services apart?

A) In short, there are no similar technologies on the market. For excitable cells, our unique combination of expertise and proprietary technology enables us to rapidly characterize a medium-throughput screening library in disease-relevant model systems. Alternative approaches rely either upon over-expressing cell models, which provide limited biological insight, or more relevant systems that might take days to characterize a single compound.

Q) What would you say are Cellectricon’s main strengths?

A) Our knowledge in neurological diseases and DDx, in combination with our track record as developers of high-performance technological equipment is our main strength.

We have particular expertise in chronic pain, and have developed a platform optimized to identify small molecule compounds affecting the sensitized dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, a highly relevant model for chronic pain. This platform enables research into three main areas: selective field stimulation of excitable cells, compound delivery and transfection for genomic screening of primary cells, tissues and stem cells.

Q) How can the Discovery Services be utilized to advance research in cytoskeletal disturbances specifically?

A) The majority of the methods used today for studying drug effects on complex systems are the so-called high content imaging approaches, relying largely on fixed cell preparations. Dead tissue provides limited insight, so we use a different approach where live (neuronal) cultures play the leading role. We focus on functional responses such as neuronal excitability.

The main advantage of using excitability assays is that we can identify drug compound effects on diverse processes as ion channel synthesis, transport, insertion into the plasma membrane, or even direct action toward the ion channels. All of these effects will have an impact on overall neuronal function and therefore also on excitability.

Q) Why is the Cellaxess® Elektra Platform so suited for this work?

A) To my knowledge, our Cellaxess® Elektra Platform is the only technology with the possibility to detect excitability changes in native neuronal tissue – with a sufficient capacity to be truly enabling and decision-making.

Q) What other technology will you be using and what benefits will the different platforms bring to the Discovery Services offering?

A) Since our approach is phenotypic, we offer follow-on investigations to identify targets for active compounds. Thanks to our unique capability to selectively electroporate native neuronal tissue and other challenging cell types, we can use exactly the same test system for this, as for our excitability assay.

Q) How do you see the Discovery Services developing in the future?

A) Our goal is to develop and strengthen long-term relationships with our collaborators, which in my opinion, is the only way to truly support their on-going needs. We plan to offer a broadened portfolio of disease models, including human tissue, and will also develop our knowledge of the cytoskeleton in other CNS diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.

Continuing to drive discoveries in CNS research, we are equipped to face whatever challenges may lie in the future.

Biography

Dr Paul Karila is Head of Discovery Services. Before joining Cellectricon in 2012, Paul was part of AstraZeneca, heading a team responsible for establishing disease-relevant in vitro models in pain research with the goal to provide “functional” target validation and compound profiling to neuropathic pain projects.

He was awarded his PhD physiology/pharmacology from Göteborg University, and pursued a postdoctoral project in neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh, PA.

Cellectricon, a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening technologies and services, will be exhibiting its revolutionary in-situ transfection technology platforms on booth #1178 at the Experimental Biology conference (20-24 April, Boston, US). Cellectricon will also present two posters on April 24, focusing on high performance in-situ transfection. The poster “Transfection of primary and iPSC-derived cells by capillary electroporation” (LB162) explores how Cellectricon’s novel electroporation Cellaxess® ACE system is ideal for in-situ transfection of any adherent cell type. Minimal cell processing and low voltages ensure excellent viability and completely retained morphology, in any cell culture format.

For in-situ transfection applications on a larger scale, the poster “High throughput in-situ transfection of primary and iPSC-derived cells” (LB163) details how the novel electroporation platform Cellaxess® Elektra is optimized for in-vitro transfection of primary and iPSC-derived cells, directly into 384-well plates. With virtually no impact on cell viability or morphology, this system is ideal for screening applications such as cDNA and RNAi. The presentations will commence from 12:15 to 13:30, and posters will be available for viewing throughout the day.

For more information on the Cellaxess ACE, Cellaxess Elektra and Cellectricon’s Discovery Services, visit www.cellectricon.com

Cellectricon today announced the launch of its Discovery Services division. The new services offer pharma/biotech companies and CROs cutting-edge phenotypic screening support, accelerating drug discovery and cell-based assay research into cytoskeletal disturbances – especially for chronic pain.

Cellectricon’s Discovery Services aim to help drug discovery teams shorten lead development times and reduce costs. With leading expertize in assay development and screening, Cellectricon’s Discovery Services team provides fully collaborative support, tailored to each individual study. The entire services process is highly interactive, and guarantees all partners are well informed via frequent reports on assay performance, observations and progress, to ensure project goals are fully realized.

Announcing the new offering, Dr Paul Karila, Head of Cellectricon’s Discovery Services, said: “Our Cellaxess Elektra discovery platform is ideal for compound profiling in excitable primary cells and native tissue using transfection and specific electric field stimulation (EFS). With our platform, we can help researchers identify phenotypic effects in highly relevant biological models early enough in a project’s lifecycle to add real value to the decision of whether to pursue or eliminate a compound, which translates to considerable cost savings in the drug development business.”

For more information on Cellectricon’s Discovery Services and how the new services can benefit your research, visit www.cellectricon.com/discovery-services

Cellectricon announced today that it has expanded its sales and service network into Asia. The company signed a distribution agreement for its Dynaflow® line with Japan-based Novel Science Co., Ltd. In addition, Nepa Gene Co., Ltd., will distribute Cellectricon’s Cellaxess®ACE system and module in Japan.

The Dynaflow® Resolve system is an add-on to your existing patch-clamp setup that offers automated solution exchange with high speed, control, and flexibility. The system has an extremely broad application base and is an ideal platform for advanced patch-clamp experiments. Cellaxess® ACE is a single electrode based electroporation system that can be used for any adherent cell type. Cellaxess® electroporation offers superior transfection quality because of minimal cell processing.

Novel Science Co., Ltd., serves a range of life science research customers, providing both instruments and consumable reagents. The company specializes in tools for electrophysiology research. Kazuhiko Hiraoka President, commented, “At Novel Science, we contribute to biotechnology advancement by importing and supplying leading edge ion channel research tools. Dynaflow Resolve will help us improve our range of offerings for our customers in cellular research.”

Nepa Gene Co., Ltd., is as supplier of electroporation, electro cell-fusion, and sonoporation equipment. With more than thirty years of experience, Nepa Gene is one of the leading suppliers of high quality instruments for the Life science industry. “Cellaxess ACE nicely complements our existing product range” said Mr Yasuhiko Hayakawa, President of Nepa Gene.

“We are confident that these two leading distributors will help us expand our research and drug discovery systems into the rapidly growing Japanese market,” said Mattias Karlsson, VP Business Development at Cellectricon.

Cellectricon is a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening technologies and services to accelerate drug discovery and cell-based assay research. Our proprietary technologies include leading systems for high resolution ion-channel screening and cell engineering. Developed in close collaboration with leaders in the pharmaceutical industry and esteemed research labs, the Cellaxess® Technology enables field stimulation, compound delivery and transfection for genomic screening of primary cells, and stem cells. The Dynaflow® Technology advances ion channel research and discovery applications.

Contact:

Jennie Svensson Dahlén, Product Manager Dynaflow.
E-mail: Jennie.svenssondalen@cellectricon.com

Johan Pihl, Product Manager Cellaxess.
E-mail: Johan.pihl@cellectricon.com

The Cellaxess technology can be used for introduction of all types of molecules, ranging in size from target-designed dyes, to oligonucleotides, siRNA, and large plasmids to adherent cells. The technique is highly scalable, and can be used in any culture format ranging from dishes to 384-well microplates.

We have summarized the capillary electroporation technology and its key benefits in a brand new application note, which is now available for download in our Scientific Resource Center.

Cellectricon is thrilled to announce the winner of the lottery held at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, 14th-17th of October 2012 in New Orleans, LA, USA. There was a great interest in the Cellaxess ACE system for transfection of neuronal as well as non-neuronal cells, and many entered the lottery. We have now drawn from our lottery box, and the winner is Dr Randy Stout of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA. We congratulate Dr Stout on winning, and hope that he’ll be able to make good use of Cellaxess ACE!

About Cellaxess ACE

Cellaxess ACE Adherent Cell Electroporation System represents a revolution in the in-situ transfection of any adherent cell type. Developed to meet the growing need for in-situ transfection of hard-to-transfect adherent cell types the platform enables transfection and delivery of non-genetic material in any adherent cell type at any developmental stage. The platform enables in-situ primary and iPSC-derived cell types directly in 96- and 384-well microplates and cell culture dishes at any cellular developmental stage with excellent viability and completely retained cellular morphology. Cellaxess ACE is available as a complete system, but can also be integrated with third party pulse generators

Cellectricon is pleased to announce the new Cellaxess ACE Adherent Cell Electroporation System which represents a revolutionary in-situ transfection of any adherent cell type.

Developed to meet the growing need for in-situ transfection of hard-to-transfect adherent cell types, the platform enables transfection and delivery of non-genetic material in any adherent cell type at any developmental stage.

The platform enables in-situ primary and iPSC-derived cell types directly in 96- and 384-well microplates and cell culture dishes at any cellular developmental stage with excellent viability and completely retained cellular morphology.

Cellaxess ACE is available as a complete system, but can also be integrated with third party pulse generators.

“We are thrilled with the Cellaxess system; it has allowed us to routinely transfect many different types of cultured primary neurons in their adherent state, something that has not previously been possible.” Professor Peter Baas, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

Applications for the Cellaxess ACE include transfection of various types of neuronal cells such as hippocampal and cortical neurons, dorsal root and superior cervical ganglia from rat as well as mouse, and human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons, to mention a few. Protocols are available for a wide range of neuronal cells as well as other adherent cell types.

About Cellectricon
Cellectricon is a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening technologies and services to accelerate drug discovery and cell-based assay research. Our proprietary technologies include leading systems for high resolution ion-channel screening and cell engineering. Developed in close collaboration with leaders in the pharmaceutical industry and esteemed research labs, the Cellaxess® Technology enables scalable field stimulation, compound delivery and transfection for genomic screening of primary cells, neurones and stem cells. The Dynaflow® Technology advances ion channel research and discovery applications. For more information about Cellectricon please visit www.cellectricon.com.

Contact:
Johan Pihl, Cellaxess Product Manager
Phone: +46 (0)31 760 35 00
E-mail: johan.pihl@cellectricon.com

Cellaxess® ACE allows for long-term transfection and knock-down experiments, and gene expression can be detected up to several weeks after transfection in primary cell types. As cells can also be transfected at any stage of development, this allows for complete freedom in phenotypic studies.

Because of the clever design of the system, Cellaxess® ACE is extremely easy to use and offers huge time savings when compared to other transfection methodologies. A minimum of preparations are required to run the system in the lab. A single transfection reaction takes only a few minutes including preparations and an entire 24-well plate can be transfected in less than 15 minutes.

The system is compatible with a wide range of cell culture formats, from dishes to 96-well plates. Also, cells can be transfected when cultured on glass coverslips. Cellaxess® ACE is utilizing a single replaceable capillary electrode. Cellectricon offer different electrodes for different cell culture formats.

Cellectricon does not only offer Cellaxess® ACE as a complete system, it is also possible to buy the Cellaxes ACE module as a stand-alone product. The ACE module has been designed to be compatible with most pulse generators on the market. So if you already have a pulse generator in your lab, buying the ACE module is a very affordable solution to access the technology.

Contact us today to learn more about Cellaxess® ACE! Please also visit our Scientific Resource Center to download application notes, and further information on Cellaxess® ACE.