faCellitate announces the launch of its first product BIOFLOAT™ for improved 3D cell culture

• faCellitate releases BIOFLOAT™, its advanced surface coating for 3D cell culture for improved biologically relevant research using spheroid models
• Best-in-class performance enables fast and uniform spheroid formation of a wide range of cell types, including challenging cells
• Pre-coated plates and an easy-to-use self-coating liquid allow flexible experimental designs with maximum convenience

Mannheim, Germany, 28 May 2020. faCellitate, a Life Science Venture Team of BASF’s Chemovator GmbH, is developing interactive surface coatings for advanced cell technologies and regenerative medicine and announced today the launch of its first product BIOFLOAT™, a best-in-class surface coating for 3D cell culture. BIOFLOAT™ is a fast and easy-to-use inert coating for cell culture labware that creates optimal conditions for the 3D culture of multicellular spheroids, which better mimic conditions in the human body than conventional 2D cell culture methods.

Through biomaterial innovation, faCellitate has developed the new superior cell-inert coating used in BIOFLOAT™ for the reliable and reproducible culture of uniform spheroids. 3D spheroids are increasingly becoming the model of choice for drug discovery, toxicology studies, stem cell and cancer research, and other disease models. Here, cell lines or primary cells are cultured in an environment that encourages the formation of 3D spheroids and mimics their natural surroundings, providing a more biologically accurate model system than classic 2D culture on plastic or glass surfaces. Cell characteristics and behavior more closely resemble cell features observed inside their native environment in the organism. However, current tools for 3D culture do not always provide the optimal conditions for cells leading to inconsistent spheroid formation and results, or even failing to produce spheroids for some cell types. BIOFLOAT™ overcomes these limitations and provides reliable uniform spheroid formation even for cell types that are challenging to culture in 3D. Thus, results are more reproducible and relevant for human biology, which helps reduce risks when moving from preclinical to clinical research. In addition, use of 3D cell culture can help reduce the number of animal studies required for research and development while saving time and costs.

Dr. Véronique Schwartz, Venture Team Leader and specialist in polymer chemistry, commented: “We are excited that only two years after starting this venture, we can already bring a finished high-quality product to market that outperforms currently available products for 3D cell culture and sets new standards. Using our superior inert surface coating, spheroid culture can deliver reliable results every time. Our BIOFLOAT™ product line, including free samples, are now available via the online shop on our website for customers in Europe.”

Dr. Barbara Birk, Toxicologist and Laboratory Team leader at BASF SE, added: “BASF SE is very actively developing new alternative toxicological methods with the aim to replace animal studies currently required by regulatory authorities. 3D cell culture techniques, such as spheroids and organoids, are rapidly gaining ground in our research area. Using the BIOFLOAT™ in our 3D studies allows us to conveniently generate robust and reproducible spheroids and expands our scope in investigative toxicology.”

faCellitate was founded by a group of BASF employees as a part of Chemovator GmbH, the business incubator of BASF, which just celebrated its second birthday. The interdisciplinary team around Dr. Véronique Schwartz strives to improve biological research by providing chemistry-based smart surface coatings for sophisticated cell models. With the launch of BIOFLOAT™, faCellitate is the first life science focused Chemovator venture to bring a product to market, the first in a line of products for the modular functionalization of surfaces for cell culture. Building on their unique knowledge of material chemistry, the team is developing advanced tools to empower biological researcher to take control of their cells’ environments and bring cell culture closer to the human body. The unique BIOFLOAT™ product line consists of both pre-coated 96-well plates and a ready-to-use self-coating liquid to enable the flexible and rapid coating of most cell culture labware.

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