Frequently Asked Questions
What is PLUS and why should I use it as a replacement for FBS?
PLUS is a human platelet lysate derived cell culture supplement that supports the in vitro propagation and maintenance of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and other cell types. PLUS provides a completely xenogenic-free alternative to FBS that can significantly improve your cell culture results.
How is PLUS different from other platelet lysate products on the market?
Our proprietary manufacturing process removes coagulation factors and eliminates the need for addition of anti-coagulants to PLUS resulting in a true xenogenic-free product suitable for standard culture protocols, automated processes, and bioreactors.
Is PLUS available as a GMP product?
Yes. PLUS is available as a GMP product. Several leading institutions are testing, validating or using PLUS or other platelet lysate products as a replacement for FBS in their clinical trial protocols. We anticipate a complete shift to platelet lysate for improved safety and efficacy in cellular therapy protocols.
How is PLUS manufactured?
PLUS is manufactured from platelet units obtained from FDA-registered blood banks utilizing a proprietary method that releases the platelets’ rich payload of growth factors, cytokines, and other proteins, removes coagulation factors, and produces a sterile product with minimal precipitates.
Do you use fresh or frozen platelets to manufacture PLUS? Is there any difference between fresh and frozen platelets?
Our PLUS manufacturing process utilizes platelet units frozen within three days of expiration. Our internal quality testing and published scientific literature suggests that there is no significant difference in growth factor activity between fresh and frozen platelets.
What is the shelf life of PLUS?
Our current recommended shelf life is 36 months at -20°C and 5 years at -80°C. We anticipate that our ongoing studies will show that the shelf life of PLUS will be similar to that of FBS.
Once thawed, PLUS may be kept at 4°C for 4 weeks without any significant drop in performance.
Once thawed, PLUS may be kept at 4°C for 4 weeks without any significant drop in performance.
How is PLUS sterilized?
All PLUS products are sterile filtered. Each lot is tested for sterility per USP guidelines.
What is the difference between PLUS and the MSC Qualified PLUS?
Our MSC Qualified-PLUS is manufactured using a similar process as the standard PLUS. We conduct additional testing to verify the superior performance on hMSCs for the MSC Qualified-PLUS.
What MSCs have been tested with your MSC Qualified-PLUS?
Our MSC Qualified PLUS has undergone internal testing using human bone marrow derived (MSCs) and adipose derived stem cells (ASCs). Our customers and recent research publications have indicated that PLUS works well for umbilical cord derived MSCs.
What other cell types can be grown in PLUS?
Our clients have used PLUS for culturing different cell types such as natural killer (NK) cells, tumor infiltrating T-cells and endothelial cells with success.
What is a typical production lot size for PLUS?
Our lot sizes range from 20 - 50 liters (i.e. 100 - 250 pooled platelet units). We can also make custom lot sizes between 20 and 50 liters for clients who want to reserve entire lots.
