We caught up with Molly Tregidgo (right) from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult; London, UK) during 3D Cell Culture & Organ Modelling 2024 (18-19 March; London, UK) to get an insight into her work in process development. In this interview, Molly delves into the challenges associated with the 2D expansion of iPSCs and explains how utilizing 3D stirred tank reactors allows for the production of hundreds of functional NK cells per seeded iPSC. Molly also discusses the potential impact of process analytical technologies on cell therapy manufacturing in the future. Please i ..read more

Scientists have developed the application of maleic acid-treated bacterial cellulose (MA-BC) enhancing the innovation of bone repair. A recent research collaboration, between scientists in Nanjing, China and the USA, has been able to successfully prepare a controllable bacterial cellulose (BC)-based bio-ink for 3D printing. The scientists modified neat BC with maleic acid (MA) treatment. A MA-BC-based bio-ink application in bioprinting may promote tissue repair using an eco-friendly candidate that has mild reaction conditions. Scaffold fabrication is an essential step in the production of fun ..read more

This week: Multiply Labs (CA, USA) and Stanford Medicine’s Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine (LCGM; CA, USA) collaborate to showcase robotic systems to automate cell therapy manufacturing, Dyno Therapeutics (MA, USA) will present breakthrough methods in artificial intelligence for AAV capsid design and Bristol Myers Squibb (NY, USA) and Cellares (CA, USA) announce a US$380 million worldwide capacity reservation and supply agreement for the manufacture of CAR-T cell therapies. The news highlights: Cell therapy robotics collaboration AI-driven capsid engineering CAR-T therapy manufacturing ..read more

Download peer-reviewed content and expert insights in our latest eBook. To conclude our Spotlight on tissue engineering, this eBook will revisit some of our highlights from the feature, including our infographic on the key trends in engineering tissues for regenerative medicine. We will also investigate innovative strategies for improving tissue engineering approaches, such as utilizing smart scaffolds and in situ 3D bioprinting! [ui-tabs] [ui-tab title="Download now"] [/ui-tab] [ui-tab title="Contents"] Contents: [FOREWORD] Welcome to our eBook on tissue engineering [INTERVIEW] Ti ..read more

Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Stanford Medicine (both PA, USA) have recently identified FOXO1 protein as a key regulator of CAR-T-cell longevity – an important factor in their ability to fight cancer. Despite the expanding use of CAR-T therapy, over 50% of patients who receive the therapy experience relapse within a year. The therapeutic benefit of CAR-T cells is partially hindered by their limited longevity in vivo. Once infused into the patient, the engineered cells often don’t survive for long enough to entirely eliminate the cancer, rendering patients v ..read more

This week: The first patient has been dosed in a frontotemporal dementia gene therapy study, Kincell Bio (FL, USA) has acquired Imugene’s (New South Wales, Australia) North Carolina cGMP facility as part of a strategic partnership and Ferring Pharmaceuticals (NJ, USA) has partnered with SK pharmteco (PA, USA) to expand its gene therapy manufacturing capacity. The news highlights: First patient treated in frontotemporal dementia gene therapy trial Imugene and Kincell Bio forge strategic partnership Ferring Pharmaceuticals partners with SK pharmteco to expand gene therapy manufacturing ca ..read more

Our sister site Bioanalysis Zone has launched a new podcast series to explore the important role of bioanalysis in cell and gene therapies!  Cell and gene therapies are comprised of multiple elements including living cells or viral vectors and therefore pose additional bioanalytical challenges compared with chemical or biological drugs. The capability of bioanalytical methods to monitor cell and gene therapy safety and efficacy plays a significant role in the therapy’s success. In this six-part series, Ellen Williams, Digital Editor of Bioanalysis Zone, is joined by industry experts expl ..read more

A first-in-human clinical trial has demonstrated that PeriCord, a novel bioimplant to stimulate the regeneration of damaged heart tissue, is safe and tolerable, with early indications of anti-inflammatory properties. When patients suffer a myocardial infarction (more commonly known as a heart attack), they are left with scar tissue in the affected area of their heart. While this helps to retain the existing heart structure, the scar tissue does not possess many of the key mechanical properties of original cardiac tissue, resulting in impaired cardiac function. Advanced therapy products utiliz ..read more

This week: Ascend Advanced Therapies (London, UK) acquired GMP manufacturing capacity in Florida, Charles River Laboratories International (MA, USA) and Axovia Therapeutics (London, UK) announced a collaboration to develop and manufacture gene therapies for ciliopathies and The US FDA has expanded the use of CARVYKTI® as an earlier treatment for multiple myeloma.  The news highlights: Ascend expands expertise and GMP capabilities Collaboration to advance gene therapies for ciliopathies CARVYKTI gets US FDA approval for second-line treatment of multiple myeloma Ascen ..read more

Researchers have combined 3D printing and tissue engineering techniques to create a replica of an adult human ear that resembles its shape, size and biomechanical properties. Ear reconstruction surgery remains a challenging procedure for surgeons, attributable to the surgical precision and skill required, as well as the hurdles associated with obtaining the autologous costal cartilage for the scaffold and creating a graft that closely resembles the recipient’s other ear. Advancements in 3D modeling, 3D printing and tissue engineering have meant that a team of researchers from Weill Cornell Me ..read more