UK-based Ori Biotech has partnered with Fresenius Kabi to integrate its IRO platform with Fresenius Kabi’s upstream and downstream processing technologies.
Ori developed the IRO platform to address the current challenges in cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing.
The platform provides manufacturers with a closed, end-to-end workflow that enables optimal flexibility and scalability while maintaining product quality and consistency.
Under the partnership, Fresenius Kabi will integrate Ori’s IRO platform with its Cue and Lovo Cell Processing Systems to deliver an effective and closed workflow.
Ori Biotech CEO Jason Foster said: “Our goal is to partner with leading technology providers that offer proven solutions for the unit operations most critical to the success, consistency, and delivery of GMP manufacturing of cell therapies.
“By doing the application development work to integrate the IRO with other best-in-class systems, like Cue and Lovo, we are demonstrating our commitment to delivering flexible solutions that meet the evolving needs of cell therapy manufacturing, in contrast to rigid end-to-end approaches that reduce flexibility.”
The Ori team has successfully integrated the direct upstream and downstream processing between the IRO and the Lovo and Cue systems.
The cells were seeded directly into the IRO consumables from the Lovo system for upstream processing, which resulted in a closed workflow and reduced dead volumes.
For downstream processing, the cells were harvested from the IRO bioreactor consumable directly onto the Cue system for final wash, concentration, and formulation.
The integration enables a simplified, closed workflow for cell therapy manufacturing that can reduce process steps, tube- and bag-based transfers, and operator touch time.
Fresenius Kabi MedTech president Christian Hauer said: “At Fresenius Kabi, we are focused on advancing technologies that improve the efficiency and scalability of cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
“Our collaboration with Ori Biotech allows us to integrate their innovative IRO platform with our systems, supporting our partners’ goal of delivering life-saving cell and gene therapies to patients as quickly and consistently as possible.”
