Glycosan

Glycosan BioSystems, Inc. operated as a specialized life-sciences technology company, carving a niche in the development and production of pharmaceutical-grade hydrogels. Founded in January 2006 by Glenn Prestwich, William Tew, and Anna Scott, the company established its initial base in Salt Lake City, Utah, leveraging support from the state's Centers of Excellence Program and the University of Utah.

The company's core business centered on manufacturing formulations of a hyaluronan-based synthetic extracellular matrix. This technology positioned Glycosan BioSystems as a key supplier for researchers in the fields of regenerative medicine and biotechnology. Its clientele primarily consisted of stem cell researchers and scientists engaged in tissue engineering and 3D cell culture. The business model revolved around the sale of these specialized, high-purity research products directly to the scientific community.

Glycosan's product portfolio was highlighted by its hyaluronan-based hydrogels, marketed under brands such as HyStem® and Extracel®. These hydrogels were designed to mimic the natural environment of cells, providing a scaffold for cell growth and delivery. Specific product variations included HyStem-C®, tailored for stem cell culture, HyStem-HP® for applications requiring the slow release of growth factors, and Extracel-X for growing tumor xenografts in animal models. These products offered researchers a consistent, well-defined starting point for optimizing a cell's microenvironment, a critical factor in stem cell research and therapeutic development. The business had applications for its hydrogel products in treating conditions like facial contour defects, tendon repair, and degenerative disc disease.

In a significant milestone, Glycosan BioSystems was acquired in an all-stock merger by OrthoCyte Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (now Lineage Cell Therapeutics), on March 22, 2011. Following the acquisition, the Glycosan hydrogel technologies were integrated into BioTime's broader portfolio. BioTime later consolidated its research products business under a new division named ESI BIO, which then managed and marketed the HyStem product line. The product line has since changed hands again; in late 2019, Advanced BioMatrix acquired the HyStem® line of products from Lineage Cell Therapeutics, taking over the manufacturing and sale of these hydrogels for research purposes.

Keywords: Glycosan BioSystems, hydrogels, 3D cell culture, hyaluronan, synthetic extracellular matrix, stem cell research, tissue engineering, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, HyStem, Extracel, BioTime, OrthoCyte, ESI BIO, cell delivery, biotechnology, life sciences, cell microenvironment, research products, Glenn Prestwich