On December 14th 2022, Fujifilm Corporation made a strategic investment through its Life Sciences Corporate Venture Capital (LS-CVC) Arm, based in Tokyo, into PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization (CRO) and provider of imaging-based assay services situated in San Diego, California.
The aim of this investment is to boost the development of high-content screening (HCS) assay services that will utilize differentiated Fujifilm iCell induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and PhenoVista’s advanced imaging technologies.
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Fujifilm initially invested 7 billion ¥ (which evaluates to $50 million) to start its investment fund, LS-CVC, to target partnerships with emerging companies with advanced biotechnology.
The investment of LS-CVC in PhenoVista builds upon the partnership between Fujifilm Corporation's subsidiary, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics and PhenoVista to develop high-content screening (HCS)-based assays using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to expand its drug-discovery business.
The aim is to finance the development of novel “Ready-to-Go Assay” services at PhenoVista by utilizing a diverse range of iCell offerings from FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics. These services are intended to hasten the drug discovery and advancement of secure and effective therapies. Furthermore, Fujifilm and PhenoVista will work together to promote the adoption of new iPSC-based research tools by expanding their market reach. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of diseases and a growing emphasis on research, drug screening, and predictive toxicology are expected to drive demand and growth in the market.
According to data insights from BIS Research, the global cell-based assay market is expected to reach $38.23 billion in 2032 from $17.20 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 8.44% during the forecast period 2023-2032.
What is HCS?
High-content screening (HCS) is a technique that involves using cell-based assays to simultaneously analyze numerous cellular parameters. It incorporates automated imaging, advanced microscopy, and computational analysis to gather and examine extensive amounts of quantitative data from individual cells within a population.
In a typical HCS workflow, cells are grown in multi-well plates and exposed to various compounds or specific experimental conditions. High-resolution automated microscopes take pictures of the cells, often in several channels, to visualize various cellular components or markers.
Next, these images are analyzed using sophisticated software algorithms that extract quantitative data on various cellular parameters. This information can be utilized to create dose-response curves, determine IC50 values, and identify potential hits or leads in drug discovery or toxicity screening assays.
Moreover, the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are generated from patient cells, provides a personalized approach to drug screening and toxicity testing.
Significance of the Investment
James G. Evans, CEO, and co-founder of PhenoVista Biosciences, highlighted in a press release, “Through this deepening relationship, PhenoVista’s current and future partners and collaborators will have early access to new cell models from Fujifilm, our long-trusted source of validated iPS cell models in the most relevant therapeutic areas, and we will continue to develop new models in both our bespoke and Ready-2-Go service platforms.”
He further added, “Fujifilm’s investment will accelerate an exciting phase of growth for PhenoVista, further solidifying our position as the leader in the imaging-based analysis of complex cell models.”
Takatoshi Ishikawa, the general manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters at Fujifilm Corporation, also highlighted the company's commitment to solving societal issues through innovation and partnership. According to him, “Fujifilm aims to create new values by collaborating with partners that offer technological capabilities that align with their life sciences portfolio.”
The ultimate goal of this partnership is to accelerate disease identification and progression and to develop personalized treatments through induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-based assay, which will help to ensure faster treatments for patients.
Conclusion
Cell-based assays have revolutionized the drug discovery process by providing a more physiologically relevant and predictive model system for drug screening.
With advancements in technology, such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and 3D cell culture, cell-based assays have become even more powerful tools in drug discovery.
Moreover, with the growing knowledge of cellular biology, scientists can use cell-based assays to simulate complex physiological processes and disease conditions, allowing for the development of drugs that are more targeted, effective, and have fewer side effects.
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