Canada
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company that develops specialty cell culture media, cell isolation systems and accessory products for life science research. Driven by science and a passion for quality, STEMCELL supports the advancement of scientific research around the world with our catalog of more than 2000 cell biology research tools.
STEMCELL Technologies was launched in 1993 when founder and CEO Allen Eaves needed a way to meet the increasing demands for his standardized, cost-effective cell culture media for growing blood-forming stem cells. At the time, Eaves was a hematologist and cancer researcher heading the Terry Fox Laboratories (TFL) and head of clinical hematology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Unsatisfied with commercially available cell culture reagents, Eaves’ research group at the TFL began making their own hematopoietic stem cell culture media using the highest quality materials they could find. Colleagues also wanted to use this media, and Eaves was able to supplement his research funds by selling culture media to other lab groups.
Eventually, the demand for the media from researchers around the world warranted building a designated clean room for production. The TFL did not have the funding and instead, Eaves was encouraged to purchase the business and create an independent company. Mortgaging his house and receiving a loan from Western Economic Diversification, Eaves was able to build a clean room and STEMCELL Technologies Inc. was born on July 2, 1993. STEMCELL has become the largest biotech company in Canada and continues to reinvest all profits back into developing products to better support the international research community. As of 2017, the company employs more than 1000 people globally, with over one-third of those holding a Ph.D. or MSc, and the majority of employees having a BSc or Engineering degree. A large number of the company’s employees are located in Vancouver, Canada with additional employees and facilities in 11 other countries.
Mission
To advance the pursuit of scientific knowledge by supplying high quality, innovative reagents, tools and services that enable life science research.
Vision
To have our products used in all research labs around the world, facilitating discoveries in life sciences.
Expertise
Company
STEMCELL specializes in developing cell culture media, cell separation systems, instruments and other reagents for use in life sciences research across the basic to translational research continuum. Our products are designed and developed by highly trained, world-class scientists to streamline research protocols, reduce experimental variability, and increase the accuracy of results. We develop our product lines to support entire experimental workflows, from cell isolation through characterization, expansion, differentiation, maintenance, and storage and are always looking for ways to further support our customers through training, knowledge and new products. STEMCELL’s Research and Development team often collaborates with academic partners to develop, produce and distribute products specific to a given research field.
Products
In addition to expanding our original line of hematology products, we have grown our product portfolio to include a comprehensive suite of immune cell isolation tools as well as products that support research using pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. We have also developed suites of products optimized for neural, mammary, prostate, pulmonary, pancreatic, and intestinal cell biology research. Additionally, STEMCELL’s Contract Assay Services department supports researchers by developing tailor-made in vitro assays customized for their research needs. Finally, by offering accessory components such as primary cells, antibodies and cytokines, as well as labware and instruments via our Bioengineering division, STEMCELL provides scientists with all of the tools necessary to carry out their research.
Science Communications
We know that effective training, communication and collaboration is essential for science to happen. As a company, STEMCELL is deeply rooted in the scientific community and science education, and these values drive an ongoing effort to provide scientists with the resources that they need to keep current with the latest scientific advances and innovations in their fields. For example, our Education team provides hands-on training courses and workshops as well as proficiency testing for assay standardization and custom on-site education courses. We also produce professional-quality videos that provide product support and education, as well as host webinars with field experts and offer free wallcharts, technical bulletins, blogs, newsletters, and other communications resources to support the exchange of scientific knowledge and keep researchers informed about tools, tips and technologies in their fields.