UPM Biomedicals and Cellbox Solutions collaborate to provide a live cell shipment solution

UPM Biomedicals and Cellbox Solutions collaborate to provide a live cell shipment solution

(UPM, Helsinki, 19 October 2021 at 13:00 EET) – UPM Biomedicals and Cellbox Solutions have signed an agreement to provide a unique live cell shipment solution. This plant-derived, animal-free transport technology for living cell and tissue cultures will allow shipping of live 3D cell assays between researchers and pharmaceutical companies.

Combining UPM’s nanocellulose-based hydrogels and Cellbox’s portable CO₂ incubators offers protection from mechanical stress to maintain cell activity during transportation. This allows the transport of even the most complex and sensitive cell cultures, while enabling easy recovery of the cells post-transport.

Johana Kuncova-Kallio, Director of UPM Biomedicals, noted: “Currently, cells must be frozen for shipping. With this novel transportation solution, living cells can be transported in an optimal environment for growth. The combination of our matrix – which is made from just nanocellulose and water, with no animal-derived components or contaminants – with Cellbox Solution’s transport incubator ensures higher cell yields after transportation. This makes the thaw cycle redundant, saving staff resources and reducing uncertain outcomes, enabling researchers to ship ready-to-use cell to other sites. We see this as an enabler to speed up the spread of 3D cell models from academia to industry.”

"The market for 3D cell cultures continues to grow strongly. As a result, we are seeing more and more of our customers looking for special transport options," said Dr. Corné Swart, Executive Director Business Development & Global Sales at Cellbox Solutions. "Cellbox Solutions clearly recognises this need, and has taken a forward-looking approach. With our Naturally-3D Kit and the help of UPM, we are very pleased to now be able to offer our customers an environmentally friendly product designed for this exact purpose."

For further information please contact:

Johana Kuncova-Kallio, Director, UPM Biomedicals, tel. +358 40 612 6300

Tony Kiuru, Life Science Business Development Manager, UPM Biomedicals, tel. +358 40 708 5100

UPM, Media Relations

Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET

tel. +358 40 588 3284

media@upm.com

UPM

We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 18,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 8.6 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

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UPM Biomedicals

UPM Biomedicals is the forerunner in producing high quality nanofibrillar cellulose for medical and life science applications. More than 300 patents protect the existing and future products that rely on the Finnish birch pulp. We actively collaborate with universities, research centers and key industrial partners on future innovations and products in the field of high throughput drug screening, personalised medicine, advanced cell therapies, 3D bioprinting, tissue engineering and advanced wound care. www.upmbiomedicals.com

Cellbox

Founded in 2017, Cellbox Solutions GmbH focuses on innovative logistics solutions for the global BioMedTech industry. We have the vision to change the future of healthcare. For this, we offer a solution with Cellbox so that healthcare providers can fully focus on treating patients with the latest therapies. Our goal is to provide living cell logistics solutions that enable life-sustaining therapy designs that are accessible to all. Our portable CO2 incubator, the Cellbox, provides a controlled environment for the transport of living cells and biological structures. Temperature and CO₂ levels can be adjusted to ensure optimal incubation conditions.  www.cellbox-solutions.com