Fujifilm Holdings Corporation has completed its previously announced acquisition of Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI), a developer and manufacturer of human cells in industrial quantities for $307 million (on a fully diluted basis). CDI will continue to run its operations in Madison, Wisconsin and Novato, California as a consolidated subsidiary of Fujifilm.

CDI’s technology platform enables the production of high-quality fully functioning human cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), on an industrial scale. Customers use CDI’s products, among other purposes, for drug discovery and screening, to test the safety and efficacy of their small molecule and biological drug candidates, for stem cell banking, and in the research and development of cellular therapeutics. CDI’s proprietary iCell product catalog encompasses 12 different iPSC-based cell types, including iCell Cardomyocytes, iCell Hepatocytes, and iCell Neurons. During 2014 CDI sold to 18 of 20 top biopharmaceutical companies.

Fujifilm has developed highly-biocompatible recombinant peptides that can be shaped into a variety of forms for use as a cellular scaffold in regenerative medicine in conjunction with CDI’s products. Fujifilm has been strengthening its presence in the regenerative medicine field over several years, including by acquiring a majority of shares of Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. (J-TEC) in December 2014. The acquisition of CDI will allow Fujifilm to gain entry into the area of iPS cell-based drug discovery support services. Fujifilm also plans to benefit from the combination of CDI’s iPS cell technology and experience and Fujifilm’s expertise in material science, engineering, and J-TEC’s quality management systems. The combination of these will help accelerate product development in regenerative medicine while expanding the commercial opportunities.

Source: Fujifilm