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.
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