Project FHL124:
Human-derived immortalized lens epithelial cell line developed for opthalmic and translational research applications.
Project FHL124 was developed to provide researchers with a reproducible and human-relevant in vitro lens epithelial model suitable for mechanistic studies, assay development, and translational research.
Description and licenses
Description of FHL 124
FHL 124 is a human lens epithelial cell line platform for detecting drug-induced oxidative, metabolic, and apoptotic stress relevant to cataract formation.
FHL 124 is designed to provide a physiologically relevant, reproducible model for ocular research and drug development. As a non-viral, immortalized cell line, FHL 124 avoids the confounding effects associated with virally transformed systems while maintaining stable growth and consistent phenotype.
This combination enables more reliable investigation of lens biology, cataract formation, and compound toxicity in a scalable in vitro platform. FHL 124 offers researchers and developers a practical alternative to primary cells and more complex models, delivering consistency, accessibility, and translational relevance for screening and mechanistic studies.
Key applications of FHL 124
FHL 124 is best positioned as a human lens epithelial platform for early detection of drug-induced cataract risk, targeting mechanisms that converge on lens epithelial dysfunction inclusive of oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair imbalance, metabolic and osmotic disruption , and apoptosis. This makes it particularly relevant for screening oncology small molecules, including PAPR inhibitors and kinase inhibitors, corticostertoids, and metabolic pathway modulators, where off-target lens effects can emerge during development.
While large molecule therapies such as monoclonal antibodies typically pose lower direct lens risk, FHL 124 can also support evaluation of indirect inflammatory or stress-mediated effects.
By providing a non-viral, reproducible human lens model, FHL 124 enables developers to identify liabilities earlier, differentiate compounds, and generate mechanistic data that is more physiologically relevant than non-lens epithelial systems.
Drug classes that may benefit from FHL 124 include, but are not limited to:
Corticosteroids
Antimetabolites / Oxidative Agents
PAPRi / Kinase Inhibitors
Osmotically Active Drugs (Diabetes Adjacent)
MABs
Antipsychotics / CNS Drugs
Opthalmic Drugs
Use and licenses
The FHL 124 human lens epithelial cell line, a widely utilized in-vitro model for lens biology and cataract-related research, is now available to the global scientific community through distribution by ECACC.
Commercial entities, including biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, CROs, and other for-profit organizations, are required to obtain an appropriate commercial use license for internal research, screening, development or commercial applications involving FHL 124. Commercial licensing pathways are designed to support:
Internal R&D use
Drug discovery and screening
Assay development
Platform integration
Commercial therapeutic development
Expanded enterprise access arrangements
The licensing structure preserves broad scientific accessibility while protecting the long-term stewardship and responsible commercial utilization of the platform.
Request a license
License fees are based on the size and stage of the organization seeking commercial rights to FHL124. For pricing purposes, a "Emerging Pharma / Small Biotech" is generally defined as an organization with fewer than 250 employees, annual revenue below $100 million, or one that has not yet launched a commercial product. A "Pharma / Biotech" is generally defined as an organization with 250 or more employees and annual revenue of $100 million or greater, or any organization with one or more commercialized products. To ensure fair and consistent application of the licensing program, final company classification and applicable pricing will be determined by the licensor based on the totality of the organization's size, revenue, stage of development, and business activities.
We strive to make the licensing process as simple and efficient as possible. After you submit a license request, we will review your organization's intended use and confirm the appropriate license type and pricing. Most inquiries receive a response within 24 business hours. Once the license terms are confirmed, we will provide a license agreement and payment instructions. Upon completion of the agreement and payment process, your commercial rights to use FHL124 will become effective.
| License Type | Intended User | Scope of Use | Key Terms | Fee (USD) | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation License | Any company | Internal evaluation only; no commercial outputs | Non-transferable | $2,500 | 90 Days | 100% credit toward a full license if upgraded within 6 months |
| Program License | Any company | One drug candidate or one biological target | Internal R&D only; no sublicensing |
$7,500 (Emerging Pharma/Small Biotech) $12,500 (Pharma/Biotech) |
Perpetual | Lowest entry point for commercial use |
| Company-Wide Research License | Multi-program companies | All internal R&D programs | Non-exclusive; no sublicensing; no redistribution |
$15,000 (Emerging Pharma/Small Biotech) $25,000 (Pharma/Biotech) |
Perpetual | Most common license type |
| Enterprise / CRO License | CROs, service providers, large pharma/biotech | Internal R&D plus client-sponsored work | Allows fee-for-service use; reporting requirements may apply | $50,000 | 3 Years (Negotiable) |
Required for external or client-sponsored work |
Complete the form below to request a license
FAQs
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FHL124 is a human-derived immortalized lens epithelial cell line developed for ophthalmic and translational research applications.
The cell line has been utilized in studies involving:
· cataract biology
· epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
· oxidative stress
· fibrosis signaling
· growth factor activity
· posterior capsule opacification (PCO)
· ophthalmic therapeutic evaluation
FHL124 was developed to provide researchers with a reproducible and human-relevant in vitro lens epithelial model suitable for mechanistic studies, assay development, and translational research.
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Compared with primary lens epithelial cells, FHL124 may offer advantages including:
· improved reproducibility
· greater scalability
· reduced donor variability
· longer-term experimental utility
· easier routine laboratory handling
FHL124 provides researchers with a stable and accessible human-derived lens epithelial platform suitable for translational ophthalmic research applications.
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Different in vitro model systems offer distinct advantages depending on the research application. FHL124 is designed to provide researchers with a practical, reproducible, and human-derived lens epithelial model that complements — rather than replaces — more complex emerging platforms.
Key advantages of FHL124 may include:
Human Lens Epithelial Origin - FHL124 is a human-derived lens epithelial cell line developed specifically for ophthalmic and lens-related research applications, including cataract biology, EMT, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and therapeutic evaluation.
Reproducibility and Consistency - Compared with primary cell cultures and some advanced model systems, FHL124 provides a stable and reproducible platform suitable for:
· routine laboratory use
· longitudinal studies
· comparative experiments
· assay development
· screening applications
Ease of Use and Scalability - FHL124 can generally be cultured more easily, rapidly, and cost-effectively than iPSC-derived systems, organoids, or organ-on-chip platforms, making it well suited for:
· early-stage discovery
· mechanistic studies
· screening workflows
· translational research programs
Publication History and Scientific Validation - FHL124 has been utilized in multiple peer-reviewed studies across ophthalmic research applications, supporting its use as an established experimental model.
Complementary to Advanced Models - While organoids, iPSC-derived tissues, and organ-on-chip systems may provide higher-order tissue complexity and multicellular interactions, these systems can also involve:
· greater cost
· increased technical complexity
· reduced throughput
· higher variability
· more specialized infrastructure requirements
Many researchers utilize FHL124 alongside advanced models as part of a broader translational research strategy.
Suitable Applications for FHL124 - FHL124 may be particularly useful for:
· cataract research
· epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) studies
· oxidative stress research
· fibrosis signaling studies
· ophthalmic drug screening
· assay development
· mechanistic pathway analysis
· ocular safety and toxicity evaluation
The optimal model system ultimately depends on the specific scientific question, stage of development, and experimental objectives.
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Human-derived lens epithelial models may provide improved translational relevance for ophthalmic research compared with non-human or non-lens systems.
FHL124 offers researchers a reproducible human lens epithelial platform suitable for:
· mechanistic pathway analysis
· translational research
· assay development
· ophthalmic drug screening
· fibrosis and EMT studies
· oxidative stress research
The selection of the optimal model system depends on the specific scientific objectives and experimental design.
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FHL124 may be particularly useful for:
· cataract research
· lens epithelial biology
· epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) studies
· oxidative stress and cellular stress response research
· fibrosis signaling studies
· growth factor pathway analysis
· ophthalmic drug discovery and screening
· ocular safety and toxicity assessment
· assay development and translational research
Researchers may also utilize FHL124 alongside advanced ophthalmic model systems, including organoids and iPSC-derived platforms.
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Commercial entities — including biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, CROs, and other for-profit organizations — may require a commercial license for certain uses of FHL124.
Commercial Use generally includes activities involving:
· commercial research and development
· drug discovery or screening
· fee-for-service research
· assay development
· manufacturing support
· regulatory activities
· commercialization of products or services
Academic research conducted solely at a non-profit institution for non-commercial research purposes generally does not require a commercial license.
If you are uncertain whether your intended use requires a commercial license, please contact us for guidance.Item description
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Yes, CROs and fee-for-service organizations may use FHL124 under an appropriate commercial license.
Commercial licenses may be required when FHL124 is used:
· to perform services for clients
· in sponsored research programs
· in commercial screening or testing activities
· in support of therapeutic or product development programs
Depending on the nature of the engagement, the sponsoring company may also require appropriate licensing rights.
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Researchers may modify or engineer FHL124 for internal research purposes in accordance with applicable repository and licensing terms.
Examples may include:
· reporter constructs
· CRISPR-based editing
· fluorescent tagging
· pathway engineering
· assay optimization
Redistribution, sublicensing, commercial use of modified materials, or transfer of derivatives to third parties may require additional authorization.
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No. FHL124 may not be redistributed, transferred, or shared with third parties unless expressly authorized.
Collaborators, institutions, and commercial partners should obtain FHL124 directly through authorized repositories or licensing channels to ensure compliance with applicable terms and conditions.
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Unless otherwise specified in a separate agreement, licensing terms may apply to FHL124 as well as related progeny, derivatives, modifications, engineered variants, and materials derived from FHL124.
Researchers retain ownership of their independent research results and inventions, subject to applicable licensing terms governing the underlying cell line.
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Yes. FHL124 has been utilized in multiple peer-reviewed scientific publications involving:
· lens epithelial biology
· cataract research
· epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
· oxidative stress
· fibrosis signaling
· ophthalmic therapeutic evaluation
Representative publications and citations are available upon request or through the scientific resources section of this website.
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FHL124 is designed to support routine laboratory use and does not generally require the specialized infrastructure associated with certain advanced model systems such as organoids or organ-on-chip platforms.
Recommended culture protocols, handling guidance, and repository documentation are available through the applicable repository source.
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Yes. Scientific and licensing inquiries regarding FHL124 may be directed to the contact information provided on this website.
Repository-specific handling, ordering, and technical support may also be available directly through ATCC or ECACC.
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Yes. Researchers may utilize FHL124 in ophthalmic research applications including:
· assay development
· mechanistic studies
· translational research
· compound screening
· toxicity assessment
· fibrosis and EMT pathway evaluation
The suitability of FHL124 for a particular screening application should be determined by the investigator based on the intended research objectives.
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Researchers are encouraged to appropriately cite:
· the original scientific publications describing FHL124
· the applicable repository source
· relevant accession or catalog numbers where appropriate
Proper citation supports scientific reproducibility and helps maintain long-term accessibility of the model for the research community.
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FHL124 is intended to be available internationally through authorized biological resource repositories, including ECACC, subject to applicable shipping, import/export, and local regulatory requirements.
Availability may vary by country or region.
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Commercial licensing options may include:
· internal research use licenses
· CRO/service-provider licenses
· screening and assay-development licenses
· platform evaluation licenses
· enterprise research licenses
· commercial development licenses
Licensing structures may vary depending on the nature of the intended use and organization type.
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Not necessarily. Acquisition of FHL124 through ATCC or ECACC does not automatically grant rights for all commercial uses.
Commercial activities — including commercial research, screening, fee-for-service work, product development, manufacturing support, or regulatory activities — may require a separate commercial license.
If you are uncertain whether your intended use requires additional rights, please contact us prior to use.
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Please see the Request a license or Contact us sections of this website
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Yes. Licensed users may generally reference and utilize FHL124 in:
· scientific publications
· conference presentations
· regulatory submissions
· internal research documentation
· patent filings relating to independent inventions or discoveries
Use of FHL124 does not transfer ownership of the underlying cell line or related intellectual property rights unless expressly stated in a separate written agreement.
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FHL124 is available through internationally recognized biological resource repositories, including ATCC and ECACC, for qualified research use.
Academic and non-commercial researchers may obtain FHL124 directly through the applicable repository ordering process and standard repository terms.
Commercial entities — including biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, CROs, and other for-profit organizations — may require a separate commercial license for the use of FHL124 in commercial research, screening, development, manufacturing, regulatory, or fee-for-service activities through this website (See Request a license).
To acquire FHL124:
· Academic / non-commercial research use:
Order directly through ATCC or ECACC.· Commercial or industry use:
Please contact us prior to acquisition to discuss the appropriate commercial licensing pathway. -