Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
HLB Cell produces extracellular matrix Hutrigel
HLB Cell's extracellular matrix Hutrigel / Courtesy of HLB Cell
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
HLB Cell, a subsidy of HLB Life Science, succeeded in producing an extracellular matrix that is rich in human basement membrane through a normal cell culture procedure, the cell therapy drug developer said Wednesday.
The company said it will release the organoid biomaterial called Hutrigel, which is based on normal human cells, in the second quarter of the year.
Organoids are specific cell aggregates derived from human stem cells and organ-origin cells. They are gaining attention as a technology can replace animal experimentation, as the United States will no longer require animal tests before new medicine drug development processes for humans.
They are also highly regarded as a regenerative therapy treatment, which can restore damaged tissues.
Given HLB Cell's Hutrigel is manufactured by cultivating normal human cells, the company said the product has advantages compared to existing products that are made from substances separated after growing tumor tissues transplanted from mice.
HLB Cell announced the research results of Hutrigel at the Korean Society for Biomaterials' academic conference on March 31.
“Hutrigel has many distinct advantages over existing products and is expected to be widely used in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and medical device materials for treatment,” said Yoon Hee-hoon, head of HLB Cell's research institute.