Sigma-Aldrich signs distribution agreement with AlphaGenix

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich will now be the exclusive supplier of AlphaGenix-developed antibodies and research tools for the fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology. This partnership is expected to further augment Sigma-Aldrich’s product portfolio of life science tools for stem cell research.

The new product offerings include antibodies to stem cell markers; tools for 3-D stem cell culture systems, such as MaxGel, a human derived extracellular matrix and its components; and HydroMatrix, a synthetic peptide scaffold that offers the precision and control of a synthesized matrix with the natural 3-D architecture of a highly crosslinked peptide hydrogel.

Both MaxGel and HydroMatrix promote cell growth and migration and have been shown to support the proliferation and enhance function of many cell types, including neural stem cells, neurons, glia, astrocytes, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, the two companies said.

Carl Schrott, director of marketing for regenerative medicine and research cell culture at Sigma-Aldrich, said: “It is increasingly important to design cell culture assays that closely mimic the behavior of cells in living tissues. Through this partnership, we will offer our customers new tools to grow stem cells that resemble their in vivo counterparts, and the high-quality antibodies needed to study them.”