Teknova and Pluristyx Launch Proprietary PluriFreeze™ Cryopreservation System to Accelerate the Development of Cell Therapies
Rhea-AI Summary
Teknova (Nasdaq: TKNO) and Pluristyx have launched the PluriFreeze™ cryopreservation system, now exclusively available through Teknova in the US and Canada. The innovative product line includes two key components: PluriFreeze Base, a cellular wash mimicking intracellular space, and PluriFreeze PF10, a low viscosity freezing medium with 10% DMSO.
The system is entirely synthetic and animal-origin-free, designed to streamline the development and commercialization of allogeneic cell therapies. Research-grade products are priced at $240 per 100 mL for PluriFreeze Base and $260 per 100 mL for PluriFreeze PF10, with GMP-grade versions available upon request. Free product samples are offered through March 21, 2025.
Positive
- Exclusive distribution rights in US and Canada
- Product line offers both research and GMP-grade versions
- Custom formulations available for specific cell types
- Synthetic and animal-origin-free composition enhances product quality
Negative
- None.
Insights
Teknova's exclusive launch of the PluriFreeze™ cryopreservation system addresses a critical bottleneck in cell therapy manufacturing. Cell preservation during development workflows represents a significant technical hurdle for allogeneic (off-the-shelf) cell therapies, where maintaining cell viability throughout freezing, storage, and thawing processes directly impacts therapeutic efficacy.
The system's differentiated features - being synthetic and animal-origin-free - align with regulatory requirements for advanced therapies while offering solutions across the development spectrum. By providing both research-grade (
For cell therapy developers, standardized cryopreservation protocols eliminate a major source of batch-to-batch variability - a key consideration as therapies advance toward commercialization. The proprietary combination of PluriFreeze Base (cellular wash) and PF10 (freezing medium) addresses multiple preservation challenges in a single workflow.
The customization capabilities for specific cell types further broaden potential applications, suggesting Teknova is positioning for recurring revenue streams across multiple cell therapy modalities. In the competitive cell therapy tools market, specialized products with regulatory-friendly formulations command premium pricing and establish high switching costs once integrated into development workflows.
This product launch represents a strategic business expansion for Teknova into the high-growth cell therapy manufacturing tools market. The exclusive distribution rights for the US and Canada establish a protected revenue channel that aligns with the company's focus on critical reagents for cell therapy development.
For a company with Teknova's market capitalization (
The recurring nature of cryopreservation reagent usage throughout therapy development and manufacturing establishes potential for sustained revenue as customer projects advance. While the announcement doesn't quantify expected financial impact, the cell preservation market represents a fundamental need across the rapidly expanding cell therapy sector.
The collaboration structure, with Teknova handling manufacturing and distribution while leveraging Pluristyx's technology, maximizes each company's core competencies. This capital-efficient approach enables product expansion without significant R&D investment. The immediate availability of both research and GMP-grade products suggests manufacturing scale-up has already been completed, potentially enabling near-term revenue contribution.
Innovative product line is purpose-built to streamline the manufacture of allogeneic cell therapies. Available exclusively from Teknova starting today.
HOLLISTER, Calif., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alpha Teknova, Inc. (“Teknova”) (Nasdaq: TKNO), and Pluristyx, Inc., today announced that Pluristyx’s PluriFreeze™ cryopreservation system is available for purchase exclusively from Teknova. Teknova is a leading producer of critical reagents for the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, vaccines, and molecular diagnostics, while Pluristyx is a leading provider of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), including immune evading and safety-switch enabled iPSCs, and other innovative technologies designed to shorten the development lifecycle of tomorrow’s cell therapies.
As previously announced, Teknova and Pluristyx are collaborating to produce and commercialize the PluriFreeze product line, with Teknova becoming the exclusive manufacturer and distributor in the United States and Canada. The PluriFreeze cryopreservation system is entirely synthetic and animal-origin-free, and includes a unique protective wash paired with a proven freezing medium to streamline development and commercialization of next generation allogeneic cell therapies. PluriFreeze Base is a cellular wash that mimics intracellular space and provides end-to-end metabolic support. PluriFreeze PF10 is a low viscosity freezing medium with
“Making solutions possible for our customers is our focus at Teknova,” said Jennifer Henry, Teknova’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, “and through our collaboration with Pluristyx, we’re now able to help developers quickly and confidently scale with PluriFreeze. The unique pairing of PluriFreeze Base and PF10 provides an ideal environment for cells to remain viable and functional throughout the cell product lifecycle, streamlining manufacturing from research through commercialization.”
“Through our development of iPSCs, we recognized how important it is to choose the right biopreservation reagents to protect cells during both hypothermic storage and cryopreservation, and at multiple holding points across the workflow,” explained Dr. Jason Carstens, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Pluristyx. “Our proprietary PluriFreeze cryopreservation system can be introduced early in the workflow, enabling cell therapy developers to better control and optimize biopreservation conditions and outcomes. And now, with wider access to PluriFreeze thanks to our collaboration with Teknova, customers can choose high-quality RUO and GMP-grade versions of PluriFreeze Base and PF10, or tailor them further to support specific cell types.”
The PluriFreeze cryopreservation system is available for purchase today via phone, email, or online. Research-grade products are priced starting at
For more information about the PluriFreeze cryopreservation system or to purchase PluriFreeze Base or PF10 online, visit http://www.teknova.com/pluristyx.
ABOUT TEKNOVA
Teknova makes solutions possible. Since 1996, Teknova has been innovating the manufacture of critical reagents for the life sciences industry to accelerate the discovery and development of novel breakthroughs that will help people live longer, healthier lives. We offer fully customizable solutions for every stage of the workflow, supporting industry leaders in molecular diagnostics, synthetic biology, and emerging therapeutic modalities. Our fast turnaround of high-quality agar plates, microbial culture media, buffers and reagents, and water helps our customers scale seamlessly from RUO to GMP. Headquartered in Hollister, California, with over 180,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities, Teknova’s modular manufacturing platform was designed by our team of scientists, engineers, and quality control experts to efficiently produce the foundational ingredients for the discovery and commercialization of next-generation therapies.
ABOUT PLURISTYX
Pluristyx is a privately held biotechnology company offering a wide range of products and services to support the development and manufacture of cell and gene therapies, including iPSC lines, proprietary genetic engineering technologies, differentiation services, iPSC culture kits, and contract development services. Pluristyx is committed to delivering highest quality products and services to accelerate clinical translation of life-changing cell therapies.
CONTACTS
Investor Contact (Teknova)
Matt Lowell
Chief Financial Officer
matt.lowell@teknova.com
+1 831-637-1100
Media Contact (Teknova)
Jennifer Henry
Senior Vice President, Marketing
jenn.henry@teknova.com
+1 831-313-1259
Media Contact (Pluristyx)
Steve Geelhood
Senior Director, Commercial Operations
steve.geelhood@pluristyx.com
+1 888-588-9935
This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
FAQ
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