Bracco Imaging has announced the expansion of its BubbleGen cell selection portfolio with the launch of the BubbleGen CD3+ T Cell Selection Kit.
The kit uses Bracco's microbubble technology and, according to the company, can enable new cell therapy workflows, including a highly scalable and cost-effective approach to manufacturing CAR-T cell therapies.
Bracco said the launch marked the first of multiple planned expansions of the BubbleGen family. It also launched an early access programme for cell therapy developers to evaluate the technology in May, saying that "researchers can test new workflows, help optimise their process and provide feedback to guide the technology."
Cell selection is a crucial step in the manufacturing of cell therapies; however, the industry-standard method of using magnetic beads adds complexity, time and cost to the workflow.
The BubbleGen technology utilises gas-core, lipid-shell microbubbles instead of traditional magnetic beads to isolate and activate specific cell types for therapies such as CAR-T.
These antibody-targeted lipid microbubbles selectively bind and separate specific cell populations.
After separation, the microbubbles simply dissipate.
This method offers several advantages, including the elimination of magnetic iron residuals, which can stress fragile cells and interfere with downstream processes such as electroporation.
Additionally, the column-free design prevents cell loss and traps commonly associated with standard filter columns. The technology also requires no specialised magnetic hardware.
Designed as an open, integration-ready platform, the technology is compatible with automated and closed manufacturing systems and is expected to be available for clinical use in 2027.
BubbleGen CD3+ Cell Selection Kit is a scalable, ready-to-use solution designed for CD3+ T-cell isolation through a simplified, bead-free workflow.
The kit supports applications and programmes including the following:
- T cell isolation and T cell depletion
- CAR-T and TCR-T development
- T cell process development workflows.
The solution, Bracco said, gives researchers flexibility as therapeutic targets and manufacturing requirements evolve.
“Cell therapy manufacturing requires technologies that can scale with the growing demands of the industry while reducing complexity and cost,” said Sophie He, Vice President of Cell Therapy, Bracco Imaging.
“The expansion of the BubbleGen portfolio reflects Bracco's commitment to advancing practical solutions for cell therapy developers as they move toward GMP manufacturing".
By providing a ready-to-use CD3+ selection kit, we are helping researchers accelerate process development today while building a foundation for the next generation of cell therapies.
“Cell therapy developers face increasing pressure to streamline manufacturing processes while maintaining high cell quality and consistency,” added Thierry Bettinger, R&D Director, Bracco Research Center Geneva.
"BubbleGen provides researchers with a magnetic bead-free approach that combines workflow simplicity with the flexibility needed to support emerging cell therapy applications."
By offering a ready-to-use CD3+ solution, we are giving researchers tools that can address current needs, extending the flexibility for many therapeutic targets and workflows.
Bracco said it will introduce the BubbleGen CD3+ Cell Selection Kit next week at the CAR-TCR Summit, held September 16-17 in Boston.
Attendees can connect with the Bracco cell therapy team at booth #25 or attend the Bracco company presentation on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:20 PM during the Early-Stage Manufacturing stream.
