UK-based bioprocessing company CellRev has announced a joint development agreement (JDA) with Saint-Gobain Life Sciences (SGLS), a global provider of fluid management solutions.
The JDA aims to create the “industry-first” cell media rejuvenation process for cellular product developers and manufacturers.
The JDA will utilise the bioprocessing expertise of CellRev and SGLS’s filtration knowledge to initiate development of a solution that can remove toxins and replenish spent media, allowing it to be circulated back into the process.
Combining these elements, they aim to develop an industry-first media rejuvenation process for cellular product developers and manufacturers by directing waste media through a specialised assembly that reconditions the media allowing it to be circulated back into the process.
The two parties will work together to scope, design and test a “pioneering” media rejuvenation solution that can be integrated downstream of cell harvesting to reduce waste in the cell cultivation process. The solution will complement CellRev’s continuous cell processing platform, enabling further cost reduction for cellular product developers.
The cost of cell culture media is one of the single biggest hurdles to overcome in the pursuit of making cell-based products mainstream. Cell culture media, made up of basal media and a blend of growth factors, supplies cells with the necessary nutrients to proliferate in vitro. It is an unavoidable but quite often expensive component of the cell culture process. CellRev notes that as the field scales, it will become even more important to significantly reduce the cost and waste.
Chris Green CEO at CellRev said: “CellRev is focused on revolutionising cell cultivation, making it more sustainable whilst bringing down the cost and reducing waste in the process. Our breakthrough continuous cell processing platform is already addressing the bioprocessing need, and through this JDA with SGLS, we can begin to tackle media waste to further reduce product cost. We are excited to get underway with the Saint-Gobain team in this new area of exploration for both companies.”
Narendar Yeshwanth, VP of R&D and Innovation at Saint-Gobain Life Sciences, added: “SGLS is committed to delivering a more sustainable industry and improving daily life through high-performance solutions, and we view this partnership as a great opportunity to support the increasing demand for sustainability in bioprocessing."
He continued: "With our material expertise and specially engineered filtration solutions coupled with CellRev’s continuous cell processing platform, we expect to develop cost-saving solutions that reduce the high-cost media used in bioprocessing today. Our collaboration with the CellRev team will help deliver a sustainable solution that will impact multiple markets.”
With multiple phases of development planned prior to commercialisation, it is anticipated the project will conclude, with products being made available, in 2024.
Phoebe Fraser
4 September 2023
