Donaldson, a biomanufacturing technology provider, has expanded its collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania to evaluate how well the company’s bioreactors will allow for scalable gene therapy production.
The GTP for enhanced gene therapy accessibility
The company, which is operating in this collaboration through its Univercells Technologies business, has been working on a gene therapy programme (GTP) with the university to brainstorm and create optimised manufacturing methods for novel gene therapies.
This expansion will allow for the GTP’s evaluation of the commercial-series scale-X nitro bioreactor, determining if it will increase production per batch while reducing the cost of gene therapies for patients.
GTP is led by James M. Wilson, Director of the Orphan Disease Centre and a professor of medicine and paediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine. Its main goal is to improve the global accessibility of gene therapies to those who need it.
Mathias Garny, General Manager at Univercells Technologies, commented: “Our mission aligns closely with GTP’s vision of making gene therapies more accessible globally, and we are committed to supporting their efforts with our innovative bioprocessing technologies.”
Repurposing scale-X for optimised gene therapy production
Univercells Technologies develops the scale-X bioreactor with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which was awarded through the Global Grand Challenge scheme.
Scale-X was originally designed to slash viral vaccine production costs, but is now being used to produce viral vectors for gene therapies.
Dr Wilson added: “Our hope is that Univercells Technologies will improve the efficiency of AAV vector manufacturing and help play a role in decreasing costs and enabling access through more affordable prices in the future.”