Lonza has expanded its human primary cell offerings with the launch of customisable cryopreserved Leukopaks. The Leukopaks will enable long-distance shipping of leukapheresis products without the concern of reduced cell viability encountered with fresh Leukopaks, Lonza says.
Suitable for long-term storage in research labs, the cryopreserved Leukopaks will also allow immediate access to viable cells. The cryopreserved Leukopaks come in a range of sizes, and multiple donor characteristics and testing options are available through a costing structure where customers only pay for the customization that they need.
A Leukopak is an enriched leukapheresis-derived product containing high concentrations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells like T cells, B cells and monocytes. Such cells are a raw material in immunotherapy research and used for optimising cell therapy process development before progressing to full clinical manufacture. Fresh Leukopaks can be hard to access and must be used rapidly to avoid cell degradation, limiting transportation options. Cryopreserved Leukopaks enable reliable global shipping while maintaining cell viability and functionality, and the ability to thaw cryopreserved Leukopaks when needed means researchers are better able to plan ahead for more cost-efficient therapy development.
Lonza’s cryopreserved Leukopaks are available in a range of sizes, including packs of 2.5, 5 and 9.5 billion cells, which can be subdivided into separate smaller bags for convenience. Specific donor characteristics like age, gender and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) type are also available, with a range of recallable donors and several product testing options. Customers will also have access to Lonza’s technical support services.
Andrew Winner, Product Manager, Lonza Bioscience said: "The short viability window of fresh Leukopaks means researchers are at the mercy of donor and shipping schedules – and any logistical delays can wreak havoc on project costs and the quality of research results. By offering cryopreserved Leukopaks, we are expanding our ability to deliver high-viability cell products internationally, and the rapid availability of stored cryopreserved Leukopaks means our customers are better able to adhere to uncompromising research timelines."
