Thomson stem-cell companies consolidate
Three University of Wisconsin companies founded by ES-cell rock star James Thomson are joining up, according to an article from the Associated Press. The new company will be called CDI and combines Cellular Dynamics, Stem Cell Products and iPS Cells.
The first quote from the CEO is both vague and ambitious. Bob Peley’s company "intends to be the world leader in the industrialization of basic stem cell technology." Later, the article reveals the more-tangible goal of creating cardiomyocytes for drug screening. In fact, Cellular Dynamics had announced a deal with Roche to do this in the first quarter of this year. (See our article on this and other stem cell start-ups in http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2008/0810/081030/full/stemcells.2008.138.html In search of a viable business model )
