Zen-Bio To Distribute Beta-Pro Islet Cells
Zen-Bio, Inc., (ZB) a global provider of advanced cell-based solutions and services to the life science, cosmetics, and personal care communities, is partnering with Beta-Pro LLC, a Gordonsville, Virginia-based biotechnology firm, as a distributor to provide diabetes researchers with clinical-grade islet cells. ZenBio will now provide the diabetes research community with a robust human islet cell system for use in elucidating cellular function, mechanism of action and the physiological role these islet cells play in diabetes and insulin processing and response. The transplant-grade human islet cells will be provided as IEQ (Islet equivalents) in cellular suspension within 2-3 days post-processing. Cells will be extensively evaluated for a variety of parameters including glucose stimulation/insulin secretion, viability and purity as well as endotoxin contamination. Additionally, ZenBio will also supply non-islet human pancreatic tissue for metabolic disease researchers.
“We are very excited about this partnership with Beta-Pro and believe it is a good strategic fit for both companies building on complimentary portfolios in the metabolic disease research market”, remarked Will Plentl, Director of Business Development of ZenBio, Inc.
Beta-Pro provides pharmaceutical researchers with a high quality, consistent supply of human pancreatic islets and other biomaterials for crucial research relating to diabetes. The firm isolates and distributes insulin-producing human pancreatic islets from surplus organs not placed for whole organ transplant in an FDA-approved, cGMP “clean room” facility. Beta-Pro recovers the costs for organ procurement, processing, preservation, quality control, storage, handling, and delivery of islets and other biomaterials from customers.
“In 2010 alone Beta-Pro has placed more than a quarter of a million high quality islets to organizations around the world,” said Beta-Pro Co-founder and Managing Director Cynthia M. Barber, Ph.D. “We believe this strategic alliance with Zen-Bio will expand our distribution capabilities so we can focus on what we do best: isolating islets for an underserved market.”
In addition, Beta-Pro also provides ancillary pancreatic biomaterials such as acinar tissue, RNA and tissue sections facilitating in vitro models for researchers in academic, biotech and pharma institutions. For more information, please contact http://www.betaprollc.com.
