bit.bio's human iPSC-derived astrocytes, now refined with researcher feedback, provide a defined, consistent and serum-free model for functional neuronal assays, from seizure liability to neurodegenerative disease research.
Researchers can now create neuron–astrocyte co-cultures entirely from consistent human ioCells™ powered by opti-ox™
ioAstrocytes 2.0 are optimised for co-culture with ioGlutamatergic Neurons on multi-electrode arrays (MEA), consistently supporting the formation of mature, synchronised network activity for neurotoxicity and seizure liability studies
A simplified, fully serum-free two-step workflow and twice as many cells per vial make defined human neural models practical for routine use
Cambridge, UK – 7th October 2026: bit.bio, the Cambridge-based pioneer in human cell programming, has today announced the launch of ioAstrocytes 2.0, enabling researchers to build fully human neuron–astrocyte models for applications including seizure liability assessment, neurotoxicity testing and neurodegenerative disease research.
Building on the early access version launched in June 2024, ioAstrocytes 2.0 have been further developed alongside feedback from researchers. Manufactured using bit.bio's deterministic cell programming technology, opti-ox, they are optimised for defined, reproducible co-culture with ioGlutamatergic Neurons, including on multi-electrode arrays (MEA), with a simpler workflow that is easier to adopt in routine use.
"Astrocytes are fundamental to how neurons mature and communicate, so they need to be part of any model used to understand how the brain responds to drugs and disease," said Dr Emma Pepperell, CEO of bit.bio. "With ioAstrocytes 2.0, researchers can build neuron–astrocyte co-cultures entirely from consistent human cells and use them in the functional assays that inform decisions in drug discovery, including MEA. They are a good example of how we develop our products alongside the scientific community, and another step towards the predictive, human-relevant models the field needs."
In co-culture with ioGlutamatergic Neurons, ioAstrocytes 2.0 support functional electrophysiology studies on MEA, where compound-induced changes in network firing and bursting can be used to assess seizure risk and other neurotoxic effects earlier in drug development. Localised firing is observed from two to three weeks, with organised, synchronised network bursting consistently established by day 36 in vitro, within typical MEA study timeframes.
Together, ioAstrocytes 2.0 and ioGlutamatergic Neurons form a genetically matched human co-culture system, with both cell types derived from the same donor. Astrocyte co-culture is often needed for neurons to reach measurable levels of activity, and has commonly relied on rodent astrocytes or human astrocytes that are difficult to source or variable to produce. A matched, defined and consistent system enabled by opti-ox deterministic programming gives researchers a reproducible basis for measuring how neuronal function changes over time or in response to disease-relevant stimuli. This is particularly relevant to neurodegenerative disease, where altered network activity and astrocyte dysfunction are increasingly recognised as early features.
ioAstrocytes 2.0 display key astrocyte functions from day seven, including phagocytosis and cytokine secretion. This allows researchers to examine how inflammatory signalling and impaired clearance by astrocytes affect neuronal health and network function, processes implicated in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The culture protocol has been simplified to a fully serum-free, two-step workflow, and each vial now contains twice as many cells.
Tom Harris-Brown, Senior Manager, Business Development, Toxicology at bit.bio, said: "Understanding how drugs and chemicals affect the human brain depends on models that behave like human tissue and give reproducible answers. ioAstrocytes 2.0 support robust, synchronised network activity in co-culture with neurons on MEA, providing an all-human foundation for assessing neurotoxicity and network effects with greater confidence. It also allows researchers to uncover mechanisms that may be missed in monocultures."
ioAstrocytes 2.0 continue the development of the ioCells portfolio towards interoperable, multicellular human in vitro systems, with tri-culture models combining ioAstrocytes 2.0, ioMicroglia and ioGABAergic Neurons in development. ioAstrocytes 2.0 are available to order now, and bit.bio will present data at SfN 2026 at Booth 322.
Find out more about ioAstrocytes 2.0
"Astrocytes are fundamental to how neurons mature and communicate, so they need to be part of any model used to understand how the brain responds to drugs and disease. With ioAstrocytes 2.0, researchers can build neuron–astrocyte co-cultures entirely from consistent human cells and use them in the functional assays that inform decisions in drug discovery, including MEA. They are a good example of how we develop our products alongside the scientific community, and another step towards the predictive, human-relevant models the field needs."
Emma Pepperell, PhD CEO, bit.bio
"Understanding how drugs and chemicals affect the human brain depends on models that behave like human tissue and give reproducible answers. ioAstrocytes 2.0 support robust, synchronised network activity in co-culture with neurons on MEA, providing an all-human foundation for assessing neurotoxicity and network effects with greater confidence. It also allows researchers to uncover mechanisms that may be missed in monocultures."
Tom Harris-Brown Senior Manager, Business Development, Toxicology, bit.bio