ATERA SA (Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg) is a new tissue engineering company specialized in the development, validation, manufacturing and commercialization of “advanced” human tissue models. These models can be used as a reliable, cost-effective, and predictive alternative to animal experimentation in product evaluation, industrial safety and efficacy as well as medical research. The company was launched in summer of 2015 and is based in the Life Sciences valley of Luxembourg. Backed up by a Scientific Advisory Board of highly experienced and world-recognized opinion-leaders and researchers, ATERA positions itself as the leading independent company for high-precision test models and pro-actively engages in tissue engineering R&D with its academic and industrial partners.

ATERA recently started marketing a portfolio of 3D human tissue models that were previously commercialized by the company Sterlab, Vallauris (France). These include 3 types of reconstructed human epidermis, ocular models, oral mucosal epithelial models , vaginal, bladder and colon mucosa. All human tissue models are produced in a ISO 9001/V2008 certified state-of-the-art production facility.

In addition to these models several advanced models are available or will become available later in 2016. These including a full thickness skin model, a human intestine model, a model to mimic the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) and several corneal epithelial models based on the use of primary human cells.
In collaboration with its research partners, ATERA also offers specialized contract research services for companies interested in engaging in close collaboration.

In particular in the field of ‘mildness testing’ highly sophisticated assays based on impedance spectroscopy were developed that are applicable on all types of 3D tissue models including skin, cornea and other mucosal models. These assays allow companies to assess compounds and formulations, for sub-clinical irritation such as stinging, itching, burning sensations which cannot be done with classical end-points such as tissue viability (MTT), histology and/or pro-inflammatory mediator release. Other test applications based on impedance spectroscopy testing include epidermal barrier regeneration and wound-healing.

Another area of contract research activities includes the evaluation of compounds as well as the development of test methods on “vascularized” skin and mucosal models. As these models are being ‘perfused’ through an engineered vasculature a variety of test applications can be envisioned including systemic efficacy and toxicity of topical or systemically applied chemicals, and/or even the effects of circulating immune cells on tissue differentiation.

For more information on the company’s tissue models and contract testing services,

please contact ATERA through its webpage at http://ateralabs.com/contact-us-3/

Tel: +352661732102

ATERA website link: http://www.aterlabs.com