By 2040, the world is set to witness an unprecedented health challenge. Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is predicted to impact a staggering 300 million individuals globally. In the face of this escalating health crisis and the current lack of viable treatments, hope emerges from ongoing clinical trials. These trials are turning to retinal pigmented epithelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-RPE) as a potential cellular replacement therapy.

However, the ambitious solution comes with its set of challenges. For instance, producing over 10^9 RPE cells annually to meet the demands of the afflicted population is no small feat, especially given the existing manufacturing processes. Traditional methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, making them less than ideal for the scale of production required.

Enter the promise of microcarriers. A recent pivotal study (Linked Here) has brought to light the immense potential of microcarriers in revolutionizing hPSC-RPE production. These carriers, when contrasted with conventional 2D tissue culture methods, promise to be a game-changer, delivering higher cell yields at significantly reduced costs. The study also revealed an efficient harvesting method for microcarrier-associated RPE (mcRPE) using an xeno-free dissociation reagent. Moreover, it highlighted the rapid differentiation of hESCs into progenitor RPE cells in just 14 days, thanks to microcarrier technology.

Yet, as with any innovative solution, challenges exist. Many commercially available microcarriers have been plagued with issues from unsatisfactory cell growth efficiencies to concerns about material integrity. These challenges arise from a generic approach to microcarrier production, often ignoring the specific needs of different applications.

This is where Smart MCs steps in, ushering in a new paradigm in microcarrier technology. By offering customisable, xeno-free, and digestible microcarriers made from safe biopolymers, Smart MCs is setting new industry standards. For anyone in the realm of large-scale cell culture, the message is clear: Smart MCs is the partner of choice. Explore our innovative range and join the forefront of cellular therapy solutions.

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