A Medical Device Daily

Millipore (Billerica, Massachusetts) and Aruna Biomedical (Athens, Georgia) reported that they have entered into a licensing agreement that will enable Millipore to market and distribute a cell line of human neural progenitor cells and optimized media for neural research.

Millipore has acquired an exclusive worldwide license to distribute these neural progenitor cells derived from National Institutes of Health-registered human embryonic stem cells.

The human neural stem cells will be sold and marketed under the ENStem brand name by Millipore and packaged as a kit with optimized growth media and substrates. Not previously available, the ENStem cells are a source of human neural progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells, which provide an invaluable tool for neural research. The cells can be used in various studies, including Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury and depression.

"By partnering with Aruna Biomedical, we can offer our customers a vast array of novel stem cell products and technologies," said Patrick Schneider, VP, Millipore Research Reagents Division "This agreement further supports Millipore's commitment to providing tools that accelerate stem cell research worldwide"

"The potential impact of this product on the neural research community could be astounding," said Steven Stice, Aruna co-founder and CEO. "By accelerating the pace of neurological research for tens of thousands of scientists, we hope to provide patients with possible therapies and treatments for debilitating neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries sooner than imagined."

Millipore is a provider of mouse embryonic stem cell culture reagents as well as human adult and primary stem cells that foster growth and discovery for disease treatment. Millipore's unique product range includes optimized media, cell lines, characterization kits and markers

Aruna is developing technologies in human embryonic stem cell research for use in drug discovery and neuroscience research.

Premier Purchasing Partners (San Diego) reported a new agreement for bed mobility devices awarded to Kunde Healthcare Services (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin).

The 36-month agreement, in effect as of Dec. 31, 2006, offers savings on Kunde's Halo Safety Ring device to Premier alliance members.

The Halo Safety Ring provides patient assistance for entering and exiting a bed while meeting rigorous standards for prevention of patient entrapment.

Premier is the largest healthcare alliance in the U.S.