Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), an independent innovation and technology organisation specialising in the advancement of the cell and gene therapy industry, will help assess the environmental impact of a new CAR-T manufacturing method.
CAR-T therapies are used to treat some cancers, and research is ongoing about using these therapies earlier in the treatment process, as well as whether they could be used to treat some autoimmune diseases. The expanding use of these therapies will significantly increase demand, leading to a heightened need to improve manufacturing methods.
The current manufacturing process is resource-intensive and involves multiple steps including: T cell isolation and activation, introduction of the specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene, cell expansion, and quality control testing. Each step requires separate consumable materials including plasticware. This fragmented process limits scalability, carries a significant cost, and contributes to a substantial environmental footprint.
With this grant, the consortium, called EcoCAR, will develop a new manufacturing method that consolidates various steps in the manufacturing process into one automated bioreactor.
To support this project, CGT Catapult will provide advice and data to inform the creation of models that evaluate the environmental benefits of this new process, including the impact from the wider supply chain. CGT Catapult will also provide advice on digital integration by finding suitable digital technologies that can create smart, data-driven operations that improve the efficiency, quality, and flexibility of the new process.
By helping to assess the environmental impact of this new CAR-T manufacturing method, we aim to provide evidence that industry can use to help inform future decisions on how to best manufacture these life-changing therapies. We look forward to working with experts at the Royal Free Hospital and the whole consortium to ensure the manufacturing of CAR-T is safe, scalable and sustainable.
Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive at the CGT Catapult
The EcoCAR consortium is made up of Royal Free Hospital, Autolus, BioPharm Services, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Imperial, MFX, and UCL. The project is funded through a grant from Innovate UK's Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme (SMMIP).