Takara Bio announces launch of human iPSC-derived intestinal epithelial cells for drug discovery research

Mountain View, CA—November 12, 2019—Takara Bio USA, Inc. (TBUSA) announced that its parent company, Takara Bio Inc., has launched the world's first commercially available small intestinal epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. The new Cellartis Intestinal Epithelial Cells (from ChiPSC18) Kit was jointly developed when Takara Bio received a technology transfer from a differentiation induction method to derive these cells from hiPSCs. This method was studied and developed by Dr. Hiroyuki Mizuguchi (Professor of Graduate school of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Project Leader of the National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition) and Dr. Kazuo Takayama (Assistant Professor, Osaka University).

These hiPSC-derived cells express intestinal markers at levels comparable to that of adult small intestinal tissue. They also express drug metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4 and drug transporter PEPT1 at more physiologically relevant levels compared with Caco-2, the current gold standard of intestinal models. Additionally, the monolayer of intestinal epithelial cells forms a functional barrier that can be used for predicting intestinal permeability. Altogether, these cells provide an improved model for the study of absorption and metabolism of orally administered drugs.

Previously made available in Japan, TBUSA has now decided to bring the cells to the US. "Takara Bio is pleased to expand our portfolio of products and services that support disease modeling and drug discovery," said Carol Lou, President of TBUSA. "The Cellartis Intestinal Epithelial Cells (from ChiPSC18) Kit complements our Cellartis Power Primary HEP Medium to enable more comprehensive and accurate drug metabolism studies that will accelerate the drug discovery process."