Cellular Dynamics to Host iForum™ Meetings Focused on Human iPSC Research and Applications

MADISON, Wis.--()--Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI), a FUJIFILM company, will host the annual iForum™ 2015 Meeting: US on September 14-16 in Chicago, IL. With the rapidly growing interest in and use of iPSCs over recent years in drug discovery and cell therapy applications, iForum 2015 Meetings represent a natural evolution of the former CDI User Group Meetings. The iForum 2015 Meeting: Europe is slated to be held in Hamburg, Germany, on October 19.

iForum meetings, with the tagline Connect│Discover│Innovate, provide a unique opportunity to connect with thought leaders from academia, government, biotech and pharma. Attendees will discover new applications and innovative uses for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human cells through interactive, data-driven presentations.

Key Points

  • Session topics include disease modeling and drug discovery, toxicity, and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. For a list of confirmed speakers, please refer to the meeting website.
  • Registration is open for the iForum 2015 Meetings in Chicago and Germany.
  • Scientific poster submissions are now being accepted for the iForum 2015 Meetings in both the Chicago and Germany locations.
  • iForum meetings include lunch roundtable sessions, which facilitate networking and learning. Topics include:
    • Regenerative medicine
    • in vitro clinical trials
    • Advantages and disadvantages of ready-made vs. homebrew iPSC-derived cells
    • The Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CIPA) initiative to replace the current S7B regulatory guideline
    • Screening
    • Central nervous system disease modeling
    • Liver disease modeling
    • Cardiac disease modeling
    • Skeletal muscular disease modeling
  • Sponsors of the iForum 2015 Meeting: US include Axion Biosystems, ACEA Bioscience, WiCell Research Institute, Hitachi, and Greiner Bio-One.

Attendees of the iForum 2015 Meeting: US will have the opportunity to judge photos of iCell® and MyCell® cells that are being submitted in a contest sponsored by CDI with the goal of using the winning images in a CDI 2016-2017 wall calendar. More information about the contest can be found on the CDI website.

“We are very excited to bring together this esteemed group of scientists who are pushing the envelope in the use of iPSCs for drug discovery and therapeutic applications,” Cellular Dynamics CEO Kaz Hirao said. “We expect to see a lively, informative dialog as speakers and our audience engage in discussion and debate over these topics.”

About Fujifilm

Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a FUJIFILM company, is a leading developer and manufacturer of human cells used in drug discovery, toxicity testing, stem cell banking, and cell therapy development. The Company partners with innovators from around the world to combine biologically relevant human cells with the newest technologies to drive advancements in medicine and healthier living. CDI’s technology offers the potential to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from anyone, starting with a standard blood draw, and followed by the powerful capability to develop into virtually any cell type in the human body. Our proprietary manufacturing system produces billions of cells daily, resulting in inventoried iCell® products and donor-specific MyCell® Products in the quantity, quality, purity, and reproducibility required for drug and cell therapy development. Founded in 2004 by Dr. James Thomson, a pioneer in human pluripotent stem cell research, Cellular Dynamics is based in Madison, Wisconsin, with a second facility in Novato, California. For more information, please visit www.cellulardynamics.com, and follow us on Twitter @CellDynamics.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including: healthcare, with medical systems, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; graphic systems; highly functional materials, such as flat panel display materials; optical devices, such as broadcast and cinema lenses; digital imaging; and document products. These are based on a vast portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic, software and production technologies. In the year ended March 31, 2015, the company had global revenues of $20.8 billion, at an exchange rate of 120 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

Contacts

Media:
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc., a FUJIFILM Company
Joleen Rau, 608-310-5142
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
jrau@cellulardynamics.com
or
Russo Partners, LLC
Lena Evans, 212-845-4262
lena.evans@russopartnersllc.com
or
Lisabeth Weiner Consultants, Inc.
Lisabeth Weiner, 312-252-7360
312-485-6211 (cell)
lisweiner@lisweiner.com

Contacts

Media:
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc., a FUJIFILM Company
Joleen Rau, 608-310-5142
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
jrau@cellulardynamics.com
or
Russo Partners, LLC
Lena Evans, 212-845-4262
lena.evans@russopartnersllc.com
or
Lisabeth Weiner Consultants, Inc.
Lisabeth Weiner, 312-252-7360
312-485-6211 (cell)
lisweiner@lisweiner.com