Life science business field

2024/4/8 2:502025/6/24 9:49

Life science business field

HOME　/　Business Fields　/　Life science business field

BMG succeeded the businesses cultivated by BioVerde Inc. They are based on technologies utilizing carboxylated polylysine and green tea-derived polyphenols. BMG has developed basic technologies for preserving cells, tissues and organs for transplantation, and sells research reagents derived from the technologies.　

Carboxylated Polylysine “antifreeze polyamino acid” technology

In 2009, Dr. Suong-Hyu Hyon and his group at the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, created a carboxylated poly-lysine (CPLL) named “antifreeze poly-amino acid.” It was the world's first polymer-based cryoprotectant with high safety and cell viability, an alternative to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The CPLL is one of our core technologies. The research on CPLL began while developing the medical adhesive LYDEX. BioVerde Inc. synthesized CPLL, an amphoteric polymer electrolyte in which a carboxyl group is introduced into the polyamine ε-poly-L-lysine (a food additive) and then discovered a strong cryoprotective effect. It was observed in amphoteric polymer compounds with a certain range of amino group to carboxyl group ratio. The CPLL is a new cryoprotective agent (CPA) that is safe for cells and tissues. Furthermore, it shows a high cryopreservation performance with no addition of proteins. The CPLL demonstrates cryoprotective effects on various types of cells. The effect can be controlled by parameters such as the amount of carboxyl group, pH and osmotic pressure. The CPLL's function is nearly equivalent to that of existing CPAs such as DMSO and glycerin. The CPLL brings safety originating from synthetic chemicals and high preservation performances to iPS cells, differentiated cells and tissues. The epoch-making “antifreeze poly-amino acid” has possibilities to widely contribute to clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine.　

Green Tea-derived Polyphenol Technology

In October 2003, a research group at the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University clarified the excellent properties of green tea-derived polyphenol (Epigallocatechin Gallate, EGCG). The R&D project “Creation of long-term preservation solution for living tissues at room temperature” was selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to promote creating university-launched ventures.　

【Properties of polyphenols derived from green tea】

Inhibition of animal cell proliferation

Promoting the normal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into erythrocytes and other cells after prolonged growth arrest.

Preserving human mesenchymal stem cells at room temperature

Long-term preservation of biological tissues in unfrozen states (4°C for 2 months)

Preservation of biological tissues in unfrozen states (preservation for several months while maintaining cell activity) with the addition of green tea-derived polyphenols to conventional cell cultures and preservation solutions

Possible immunosuppressive effects of polyphenol treatment on cells and tissues

The EGCG has long-term preservation effects on cells, tissues and organs at room temperature or in an unfrozen state. The natural product with various excellent physiological activities can contribute to the medical field by preserving living tissues for transplantation and being used as an immunosuppressive agent.　

We sell “ThelioKeep (refrigerated storage solution for skin and nerve tissue)” as a product (research reagent) containing “green tea-derived polyphenol (EGCG).