Methods for Producing Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Biotech (C12N)

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has published a new patent application detailing methods for producing retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The application describes specific culturing and replating techniques using laminin substrates to expand and mature RPE cells for potential therapeutic uses.

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What changed

This document is a patent application (US20260085285A1) filed by the USPTO, outlining novel methods for producing retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The described methods involve culturing human pluripotent stem cells on specific laminin substrates (LN-521, LN-511, LN-111, or LN-121) for a defined period, dissociating them, replating them on a second laminin substrate, and further culturing to achieve expanded and matured RPE cells. The application also covers RPE cells produced by these methods and their use in various treatments.

While this is a patent application and not a regulatory rule, it signifies a new development in biotechnology and potential therapeutic applications. Companies involved in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, or ophthalmic treatments should be aware of this patented technology. Compliance officers in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors should monitor the progress of this patent and similar innovations, as they may influence future product development, intellectual property strategies, and market entry for RPE-based therapies.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

METHODS FOR PRODUCING RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM CELLS

Application US20260085285A1 Kind: A1 Mar 26, 2026

Inventors

Karl Anders Fredrik Lanner, Álvaro Plaza Reyes, Sandra Petrus Reurer, Sara Padrell Sánchez

Abstract

Methods comprise exposing a culture of human pluripotent stem cells adherent on a first substrate comprising a first laminin to a differentiation medium for a first time period of 15 days to 50 days to obtain a first population of adherent cells comprising RPE cells and/or progenitors thereof; at the end of the first time period, dissociating the first population from the first substrate; replating the dissociated first population of cells on a second substrate comprising a second laminin; and culturing the replated first population of cells on the second substrate for a second time period to obtain an expanded and matured second population of cells comprising the RPE cells. The first and second laminins are independently selected from LN-521, LN-511, LN-111 and LN-121, and are an intact protein or protein fragment. Also included are RPE cells and materials and compositions utilizing such RPE cells for various treatments.