Fujifilm’s Life Sciences Corporate Venture Capital Fund Invests in PhenoVista Biosciences

Development of new high-content screening assays will be accelerated by investment

SAN DIEGO (December 13, 2022)–(BUSINESS WIREFUJIFILM Corporation announced today a strategic investment in PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organisation (CRO) that is a leading provider of imaging-based, custom and off the-shelf assay services. It is based out San Diego, California. FUJIFILM Corporation’s Life Sciences Corporate Venture Capital (LS-CVC) strategic investment fund is investing in PhenoVista to accelerate the development of new high-content screening (HCS) assay services using FUJIFILM iCell® differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and PhenoVista’s cutting-edge imaging technologies.

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Fujifilm iCell Motor Neurons stained using Hoechst (magenta), and with anti-Tuj1 (cyan) to label neurites. Images were taken with a Yokogawa CQ1 automatic microscope. (Photo: Business Wire).

This investment is a continuation of the existing strategic alliance formed between FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc., a subsidiary company of FUJIFILM Corporation, and PhenoVista. FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc., a world-leading developer and manufacturer human iPSCs. FUJIFILM cellular dynamics aims to expand its drug-discovery company through the alliance, which was initiated in November 2021. This alliance focuses on developing imaging-based assays that use high-content, differentiated human iPSC-derived cells. These are highly relevant biological systems. The HCS services that use iPSCs can monitor complex intracellular functions such as cell health, mitochondrial health and synapse development in individual cells involved in disease progression. This supports pharmaceutical companies in their drug discovery processes.

“Fujifilm’s investment will accelerate an exciting phase of growth for PhenoVista, further solidifying our position as the leader in imaging-based analysis of complex cell models,” said James G. Evans, CEO and co-founder of PhenoVista Biosciences. “Through this deepening relationship, PhenoVista’s current and future partners and collaborators will have early access to new cell models from Fujifilm, our long-trusted source of validated iPS cell models in the most relevant therapeutic areas, and we will continue to develop new models in both our bespoke and Ready-2-Go service platforms.”

“Fujifilm is committed solving societal problems through the creation of new value from the alignment with partner that offer technological capabilities for a strategy fit with our life sciences portfolio,” stated Takatoshi, general manager, Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters, FUJIFILM Corp. “The LSVC fund’s investment consolidates our partnership with PhenoVista, which will help accelerate the pioneering of iPSC-derived service. This will ensure that more patients can get the treatment they need sooner.”

“Fujifilm brings a wealth in imaging expertise to the life sciences area, and in collaboration avec PhenoVista will continue to assist our shared customers with efficient drug-discovery process through the combination of highly relevant human cell types and powerful HCS abilities and experience,” stated Tomoyuki Hasegawa. He is also the president and CEO of FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamic, Inc.

Launched in February 2022, LS-CVC is a newly established group within Fujifilm’s Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters in Tokyo. Fujifilm is initially investing 7B¥ (about 50 million USD) to start the fund, targeting cutting-edge biotechnology primarily through partnerships with early-stage companies around the world.

About PhenoVista Biosciences

PhenoVista Biosciences, a leader in providing cell-based assays services that are relevant to disease, is located in San Diego. PhenoVista’s team of PhD-level scientists with diverse expertise, ranging from biomedical engineering to neurobiology, work with clients in a collaborative, adaptable manner to design and implement physiologically meaningful assays that are predictive of drug safety and efficacy. PhenoVista’s unique combination of cutting edge cell models, quantitative-imaging technology and data analysis capabilities has earned it a solid reputation. Their extensive range includes work with primary cells and iPSC-derived neurons, glia, and client designed lines in a variety formats, including 2D, 3D or co-culture and microfluidics systems. PhenoVista’s team delivers unrivaled functional, structural, pre-clinical, and mechanistic data to clients globally.

For more information, please visit phenovista.com.

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Contacts

Media:
Steve Wiltgen
Phenovista Biosciences
[email protected]