Siam Life Science togther with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRI) has co-developed an immortalized human liver cell line named HC04 which is relevant for pharmacological and toxicological applications. The company is the co-inventor of a patent related to HC04 and furthermore has obtained worldwide license rights for its commercialization in the areas of pharmacology, toxicology, Malaria and Hepatitis research and drug development as well as for the use in bio-artificial liver devices.

The biological life of primary hepatocytes is limited to few days in-vitro which is a major bottleneck for industrial R&D.  In comparison, under the appropriate conditions, the HC04 immortalized cell line can live indefinitely. This offers industry the opportunity to overcome the limitations of drug testing using primary heptocytes.

Independent research has demonstrated that HC04 has superior characteristics which is similar to the functionality of primary human hepatocytes even in long-term cell culture. 

The HC04 immortalized cell line will complement existing human liver cell test systems.  Primary hepatocytes always come from individual sources and address the industry’s needs for a variety of cells derived from people of different ethnic background, gender and age. On the other hand, the immortalized cell line can become a sustainable standard for liver cell application in the industry..