Current T cell manufacturing methods, adapted from other medical uses, face challenges like high costs, safety concerns, and inefficiencies, especially for leukemia patients. Automation is being developed to address these issues, but its success is still uncertain.
The proposed solution involves developing a closed-loop perfusion circuit for T cell engineering and expansion using two bioreactors: a small one for selection, activation, and transduction (Stage 1), and a larger one for expansion (Stage 2).
The goal of the project is to develop a superior process / platform for selection, activation and lentiviral vector transduction of human T-cells using perfusion bioreactor system
The project will enable continuous processing of T-cells in a closed environment and reduce process costs
By implementing a beads-free, closed-loop T cell manufacturing system, an organization could reduce manufacturing failures and reagent costs by eliminating reliance on magnetic bead platforms, enabling efficient, scalable, and automated ACT production that improves safety and accelerates time-to-market for cell therapies.
Demonstration of two different-size bioreactors using 3D printing.
Method to immobilize antibodies to bioreactor surface.
Demonstration of activation of T-cells in the 3D printed single use bioreactor.
Demonstration of bioreactor as a pre-filter for T cell selection and purification.
Demonstration of the perfusion-based beads-free bioreactor has potential to form an automated closed-loop system for cost-effective T cell manufacturing.
Ling, J., “Technology Today” article, Southwest Research Institute, October 31, 2019.
Ling, J. & Milone, M., A Novel Perfusion-based 3D Bioreactor for Effective Selection, Activation, and Transduction of T-cells for Immunogene Therapy, NIIMBL Member Forum, Virtual, April 25, 2019.
Ling, J., A Novel Perfusion-Based Cell Manufacturing Platform for Regenerative Medicinee, RegenMed SA 2019 Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX, February 15, 2019.
Ling, J., A novel scalable manufacturing platform for T-cell activation and expansion in adoptiveT-cell therapy, ECI Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies VI, Coronado, CA, January 15, 2019.
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Southwest Research Institute
