HLB Cell develops organoid biomaterial based on human normal cells

HLB Cell, a subsidiary of HLB Life Science Co., which specializes in the development of cell therapy products, announced on April 4 that it succeeded in producing an extracellular matrix rich in human basement membrane components through normal cell culture for the first time in the world. 

Organoids are organ-specific cell aggregates created by culturing cells isolated from human stem cells and organ origin cells. It is also called mini organs. Recently, the United States has abolished animal testing requirements for the first time in 80 years, so organoids are attracting attention as a technology to replace animal testing.

The company said that organoids are also being spotlighted as a fundamental treatment in the field of regenerative therapy that repairs tissue damage. 

Corning's Matrigel is a similar product which is currently used most widely. This product is made by transplanting mouse cancer cells into normal mice, then growing them into cancer tissues, and isolating them.

According to the company, the production cost of Matrigel is relatively high, and its limitations on human application have been pointed out due to the potential risk of infection and immune response. The company also added that since Matrigel contains secretions derived from cancer cells, there is a possibility that normal cell functions may not be exercised when organoids  composed of normal cells are manufactured.

HUTRIGEL, developed by HLB Cell, was manufactured through culturing normal human cells on a large scale. The extracellular matrix (a structure that supports cells by filling the spaces between cells) contained in HUTRIGEL is also expected to provide some merits for establishing organoid culture environments and developing regenerative therapies using stem cells.

HLB Cell presented the relevant research results on a poster titled “Development of an Extracellular Matrix (HUTRIGEL) Derived from Normal Cell Culture Free of Animal-Derived Components” at the 2023 Spring Conference of the Korean Society for Biomaterials held on March 31.

"HUTRIGEL has a number of distinct advantages over Matrigel," said Yoon Hee-hoon, Director of the HLB cell Research Center. "It is expected to be widely used in the fields of regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and medical devices of therapeutic materials," he added.

In addition, HLB Cell is conducting a confirmatory clinical trial to develop a powder-type surgical hemostatic agent (BLIFIX). It is also seeking cooperation with HLB bioStep (formerly Knotus), an HBL group company, in regard to alternatives to animal testing. HUTRIGEL is scheduled to be released on the market in the second quarter of this year.

Write to Min-Su Han at hms@hankyung.com