Sigma-Aldrich
(Nasdaq: SIAL) today announced a distribution agreement with AlphaGenix,
Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of products for basic and clinical
life science research. Sigma-Aldrich will now be the exclusive supplier of AlphaGenix-developed
antibodies and research tools for the fields of regenerative medicine and stem
cell biology. This partnership will further augment Sigma-Aldrich's growing
product portfolio of life science tools for stem cell research (http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/stemcell).
The new product offerings include antibodies to stem cell markers; tools for
3-D stem cell culture systems, such as MaxGel(TM), a human derived extracellular
Matrix (ECM) and its components; and HydroMatrix(TM), a synthetic peptide scaffold
that offers the precision and control of a synthesized matrix with the natural
3-D architecture of a highly crosslinked peptide hydrogel.
Over the past decade, researchers have developed a number of enhanced 3-D cell
culture systems that better resemble in vivo systems. Both MaxGel and HydroMatrix
promote cell growth and migration and have been shown to support the proliferation
and enhance function of many cell types, including neural stem cells, neurons,
glia, astrocytes, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes.
"It is increasingly important to design cell culture assays that closely
mimic the behavior of cells in living tissues," said Carl Schrott, Director
of Marketing for Regenerative Medicine and Research Cell Culture at Sigma-Aldrich.
"Through this partnership, we will offer our customers new tools to grow
stem cells that resemble their in vivo counterparts, and the high-quality antibodies
needed to study them."
To access Sigma-Aldrich's extensive portfolio of reagents and kits for life
science researchers, visit http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/lifescience.
About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology
company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in
scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development,
the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high
technology manufacturing. Sigma-Aldrich has customers in life science companies,
university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one
million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates
in 36 countries and has 8,000 employees providing excellent service worldwide.
Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership
in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich,
please visit its award-winning website at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.
About AlphaGenix, Inc.: AlphaGenix is a life science company that develops
novel products and technologies for basic and clinical research with a particular
emphasis on stem cell markers, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. The biomaterials
product focus involves the design and application of 3-dimensional biomaterials
comprised of extracellular matrix components and peptide nanofibers that have
cell culture and tissue engineering applications. In addition, the company conducts
regenerative medicine research that involves basic science and translational
preclinical research using stem cell regulatory network discoveries and novel
preclinical studies utilizing animal models with a focus on neurological disease.
For more information on AlphaGenix and its products, which are sold worldwide,
visit our website at http://www.alphagenix.com.
Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements relating
to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar
intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Companies' expectations,
goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding
the Companies' operations and conditions in the markets the Companies serve.
The Companies do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.