Global life sciences leader Cytiva recently established a footprint in the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre (JCBC) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, further developing relationships with the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI) and the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI). These organisations are part of a thriving ecosystem of scientific research and innovation at Cambridge, where industry and academia converge to push the boundaries of knowledge and technology, particularly in the realm of research and therapeutic applications.
CSCI & Cytiva
CSCI is a leading stem cell research institute with clinical and non-clinical research laboratories, and with programmes that aim to foster rich discussions, partnerships, and translational opportunities in stem cell technology and research between scientists and industry partners. In 2022 CSCI developed a Technology & Innovation Forum (SCI-TIF), which hosts industry partners for events, networking opportunities, and unique exchanges with the institute researchers. Cytiva joined SCI-TIF in early 2023, and later furthered the relationship by renting a lab area from CSCI, near academic researchers. This move signifies a collaborative relationship, fostering innovation and technological advancements in stem cell research, biotechnology, and developments of new treatments.
Cytiva has also sponsored a PhD studentship at CSCI to develop 3D models of the human intestinal tract. Prof. Matthias Zilbauer’s team at the University of Cambridge has successfully cultivated over 1000 of these 3D structures, known as organoids, from human tissue samples. The significance of these 3D organoid models is profound and provide a pivotal tool for understanding diseases like intestinal inflammation, serving as a bridge between lab research and real-world applications. By refining the methods used to study these organoids, researchers can more effectively pinpoint disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
The collaboration between Cytiva and CSCI helps scientists understand diseases like inflammation of the gut better. Not only does this bolster scientific understanding, but it also paves the way for the development of innovative treatments.
Beate Mueller-Tiemann, Chief Technology Officer of Cytiva, says: "Our collaboration is rooted in the shared goal of enabling breakthrough discoveries in research that advance therapeutic developments. Cytiva’s presence at CBC will help accelerate research and new product development by better understanding how to best support our customers.”
MTI & Cytiva
The MTI encompasses both a research institute and a global outreach programme, which aims to transform pioneering science into therapies. Cytiva has been a member of MTI’s Affiliated Companies Network since 2020, benefitting from connections to the Cambridge community through their challenge-led workshops and pitch events.
Last year Cytiva and MTI hosted the first Life Sciences conference in Cambridge, which brought together clinical and research communities, to discuss ways we can collectively apply the latest academic research within the biotech industry and spur the development of new treatments. Beate says: “There is an extraordinary ecosystem here in Cambridge that can help shape the future practice of medicine. We are looking forward to engaging with the community and helping to develop the tools and technologies needed to manufacture advanced therapeutics.”