Here at Cellix, we have begun one of our biggest, most important projects to date.
In a collaboration with Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), we have set out to develop a novel technology that will overcome significant challenges in the cell manufacturing industry. The project has been awarded €3.4m by the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). An influential fund designed to fulfil Project Ireland’s 2040 strategic objectives.
Cell manufacturing is a burgeoning industry that will transform medicine in the near future. These manufacturing techniques can be used to produce cell therapies that are now providing new opportunities for treating serious health conditions including degenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancers. These therapies are regarded as a new revolution in medicine and one which will make a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.
One such therapy is the groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapy is the first of this new wave of cancer treatments that will lead the way in the fight against cancer. Unfortunately, much work still needs to be done in order to make this and other cell therapies more accessible to the people that need them. The clinical manufacture, testing and release of therapies such as CAR T is complex and demanding, requiring advanced production facilities and instrumentation. Much work needs to be done for these revolutionary treatments to be accessible and cost-effective.
Cellix, in partnership with NUI Galway and TCD, is launching a groundbreaking and innovative platform — the Gene Transfection Cell Analysis and Sorting Platform (GTCASP) to address these challenges. Funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation via the DTIF, this novel platform is designed to dramatically improve the speed and efficiency of cell manufacturing with applications in cell and gene therapy, including cancer immunotherapy. For more information on how this technology works, check out our blog article here.
The GTCASP team is hosting a launch event to celebrate this exciting research initiative, and to recognise the generous funding making it possible. The event, which will include government, industry and research leaders, will take place at NUI Galway’s Regenerative Medicine Institute, a state-of-the-art translational research facility that will be conducting part of the platform research. Here a symposium will be held with the following selected talks:
The REMEDI Centre at NUIG
Welcome & Introduction
Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh
President of National University of Ireland Galway
Opening Remarks
Dr. Orlaigh Quinn
Secretary General of the Department of Business Enterprise & Innovation
The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
Stephen Creaner
Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland, Food, Industrial, Life Sciences and Innovation
Advanced Manufacturing Strategies for Cell Therapies: Challenges and Solutions
Prof. Frank Barry
Cellular Therapy, National University of Ireland Galway
DTIF-GTCASP Project: Gene Transfection, Cell Analysis & Sorting Platform and it’s Impact on Cell Therapy
Vivienne Williams, CEO, Cellix Ltd.
Dmitry Kashanin, CTO, Cellix Ltd.
A CDMO’s Perspective on the Technology Needs for Cell Therapy
Dr. Birgit Nelsen-Salz
Future Technologies Pharma & Biotech, Global Head Grant Management (Lonza, Cologne)
CAR T-Cell Therapy in an Irish Setting
Dr. Larry Bacon
Clinical Lead of the designated national centre for CAR T-cell therapy
The ultimate goals of the GTCASP project are to get life-saving therapies to the patient. On top of those interested in the cell manufacturing space, this event brings together those people that play a part in the bigger picture. Leading members of research, industry, and the public sector are attending our symposium on cell and gene manufacturing technologies which will be chaired by Prof. Frank Barry, Head of Cell Therapy at REMEDI. Those interested in any part of the process from initial research to hospital care will have a fantastic opportunity to network with many esteemed speakers and guests.
In addition, tours of the REMEDI lab facilities and the cell manufacturing facility will be available upon request.
If you are a member of the industry and are interested in attending our event, head over to our Events Page and follow the instructions on the official invitation.
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