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Improved iPSC Cryopreservation with Optibumin 25: Enhanced Viability, Expansion, and Pluripotency

Published on 25 August 2025

Application Note

Authors: Mark Stathos, PhD, Product Applications Scientist & Andrew Hamann, PhD, Product Applications Scientist
InVitria, Inc., USA

Audio Summary: Improved iPSC Cryopreservation with Optibumin 25

Overview

This application note evaluates the performance of Optibumin® 25, a recombinant, animal-origin-free human serum albumin (rHSA), in the cryopreservation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The study demonstrates that Optibumin 25 enables a significant reduction in DMSO concentration while improving post-thaw viability, expansion, and pluripotency. Compared to blood-derived HSA, Optibumin 25 delivers superior protection, even in reduced-DMSO formulations, supporting more consistent, regulatory-friendly workflows.

Key Findings

  • Enables DMSO reduction from 10% to 5% while improving iPSC viability
  • Improves post-thaw viability, health, and fold expansion
  • Maintains ≥90% Oct4+/Sox2+/Nanog+ pluripotent population
  • Outperforms clinical-grade HSA across all tested conditions
  • Excipient-grade and manufactured animal-free at the tertiary level per GMP

Featured Solution

Optibumin 25 – Recombinant Human Serum Albumin, 25% Solution – Animal-Origin-Free, GMP-Produced

Optibumin 25 is a chemically defined, recombinant albumin designed to enhance viability, reduce oxidative stress, and protect sensitive cells like iPSCs during cryopreservation. Its stabilizer-free formulation, high free cys-34 content, and animal-free origin make it an ideal supplement for serum-free cryopreservation protocols. Optibumin 25 supports safer, scalable biomanufacturing and regulatory compliance in cell and gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and vaccine development.

Learn more about Optibumin 25

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why do iPSCs lose viability and pluripotency during cryopreservation, and how can this be prevented?
A: iPSCs are highly sensitive to cryopreservation stress, including osmotic and oxidative damage, and are negatively impacted by DMSO. Optibumin® 25 significantly improves post-thaw viability, expansion, and retention of pluripotency markers compared to plasma-derived HSA.

Q: Can DMSO concentrations be safely reduced in iPSC cryopreservation protocols?
A: Yes. Supplementing CryoStor® CS5 with 5% Optibumin® 25 enabled a reduction of DMSO from 10% to 5% while outperforming CryoStor CS10, supporting safer, lower-DMSO workflows.

Q: What advantages does recombinant albumin (Optibumin® 25) provide over plasma-derived HSA in cryopreservation?
A: Unlike blood-derived HSA, Optibumin® 25 is animal-origin-free, GMP-grade, chemically defined, and free of stabilizers that can harm sensitive cells. It reduces oxidative stress and improves viability, expansion, and pluripotency.

Q: How does Optibumin® 25 impact post-thaw recovery and expansion of iPSCs?
A: iPSCs cryopreserved with Optibumin® 25 showed faster recovery and a 50% increase in expansion post-thaw compared to HSA or CryoStor alone

 

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Footnotes

References

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