Corning commercializes new Synthemax synthetic surface for supporting growth and differentiation of stem cells

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today introduced the Corning^® Synthemax™ surface, a novel synthetic surface that supports the growth and differentiation of stem cells. The surface is being commercialized as a result of Corning’s ongoing collaboration with Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:GERN). This development enables researchers to take the next step toward scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of stem cells for potential therapies in the treatment of degenerative diseases.

“The commercialization of the Synthemax surface is a clear proof point of the success of our collaboration with Geron”

Data presented by Corning and Geron at the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore in September 2009 demonstrated multi-passage growth of multiple undifferentiated human stem cell lines and the subsequent differentiation of one of these cell lines into cardiomyocytes. This is the first time the differentiation has been demonstrated with the results presented on a synthetic surface. The growth and differentiation of stem cells on the Synthemax surface is robust and reproducible, an important condition for the large-scale production of cells and therapeutic development.

“The commercialization of the Synthemax surface is a clear proof point of the success of our collaboration with Geron,” said Dr. Jeff Mooney, director of commercial technology for Corning Life Sciences. “By leveraging our unique expertise in materials and surfaces, as well as Geron’s advanced therapeutic stem cell techniques, we have been able to develop what we believe is the first and only synthetic surface in the world to enable this level of stem cell growth and differentiation.”

The Corning Synthemax surface allows for the scalable expansion of stem cells for more than 20 serial passages in a defined xeno-free medium with:

• Stable doubling time;
• Phenotypic marker expression (Oct4, TRA-1-60, SSEA4);
• Retention of normal karyotype; and
• Maintenance of pluripotency.

Since 2006, Corning has worked with Geron to develop synthetic surface matrices to support the scalable manufacturing of stem cells and derived differentiated cell types (e.g., cardiomyocytes). Synthetic growth surfaces could replace the biological surface coatings that are widely used today to grow and differentiate pluripotent stem cells and may offer increased reproducibility, cost savings, and regulatory advantages.

Laboratory products using specialized surfaces, such as the Synthemax surface, are being commercialized by Corning. Currently, Corning’s six-well plate with the Corning Synthemax surface is available in North America.