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Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News | GENengnews.com | JULY 2016 | 11 such microtissues to determine which inter- vention is most successful for a given patient. "We're in early-stage clinical feasibility stud- ies now," says Dr. Lichtenberg. He antici- pates that commercialization will begin in a couple of years. At InSphero, diagnostic work and pre- dictive work are symbiotic. "We make our models more relevant to physicians and re- searchers by moving models from the cell lines typically used for screening to more specifc cell types—PDX or even primary tumor cells—that result in more relevant tests," details Dr. Lichtenberg. "We're also combining microtissues to mimic interac- tions between tissues. This will lead to body-on-a-chip applications, which we are developing in cooperation with AstraZen- eca in the U.K." The body-on-a-chip work was one of the largest publically funded projects in Europe on microphysiological systems, in- volving six partners, he notes. Data was published last year in Nature Communica- tions. "We've started beta tests and plan to make the technology available to more beta partners in 2017," informs Dr. Lichtenberg. "We have some clear applications in mind, including a kit to solve a particular drug- testing problem." origene.com/lentiviral Simple • Convenient • Efficient • Safe Lenti – Experience the Beauty! Focus on discovery, not DNA delivery Lenti Particles and Plasmids are Both Available Lenti-shRNA Lenti-ORF Lenti Packaging Kit Use code Lenti10 to get 10% off our lenti products. Direct customers only. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. Valid until Dec 31st, 2016. © 2016 OriGene Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CORPORATE PROFILE > Fluidigm Opens Mass Cytometry Customer Center Fluidigm opened a customer inspira- tion center in Markham, Ontario, Canada, to provide researchers with frsthand ex- perience on the Helios™ system, the latest mass cytometry instrument using CyTOF® technology. The center will be open to investigators seeking to incorporate mass cytometry in their research laboratories. According to the company, with mass cytometry, researchers can more ef- ciently design and implement highly multiplexed antibody panels across a range of cell surface and intracellular protein markers. > Charles River to Support Moderna's Nonclinical Discovery Charles River Laboratories Interna- tional inked an agreement to support Moderna's nonclinical discovery and development eforts. Charles River will be a key partner as Moderna advances its pipeline spanning multiple drug modalities and therapeutic areas, con- ducting nonclinical activities to prog- ress development candidates through investigational new drug (IND)-en- abling studies and into the clinic. > Alvotech Boasts First Installation of Finesse's SmartFactory Platform The frst installation of Finesse's new SmartFactory platform was showcased when Alvotech opened ts state-of-the-art manufacturing and lab facility in Reykjavik, Iceland. Alvotech will use this hybrid facil- ity to rapidly expand its production capacity using multiple 1,000 L and 2,000 L single-use bioreactor trains. The facility, located at the University of Iceland Science Park, will leverage automation, enabling Alvotech to produce higher yields, reduce labor and capital expenses, and maintain fexibility in operations management systems, according to the companies. > Cevec and Paragon Bioservices to Establish Standard for Viral Gene Therapy Vectors Cevec Pharmaceuticals and Para- gon Bioservices have partnered to es- tablish Cevec's amniocyte production (CAP) technologies as a new industry standard for the scalable production of viral gene therapy vectors. Under the terms of the agreement, Cevec and Paragon will co-market CAP technologies—including the CAP GT expression system for gene thera- py and CAP Go for glycoproteins. n News Products & Services