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

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."

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