CAR T Manufacturing Innovation Expands Patient Access
Advances in manufacturing, automation, and lentiviral vector technologies are reshaping the future of CAR T therapies. Ex vivo and in vivo approaches will evolve together, helping improve scalability, lower costs, and expand patient access worldwide. The post CAR T Manufacturing Innovation Expands Patient Access appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
As the next generation of CAR T therapies advances towards broader commercialization, industry experts emphasize the importance of parallel development of ex vivo and in vivo approaches, focusing on manufacturing improvements, automation, and vector engineering to expand patient access. Natalia Elizalde, chief business development officer at VIVEbiotech, highlights that while ex vivo CAR T therapies remain critical, in vivo methods are rapidly advancing and could broaden access by simplifying treatment pathways.
The industry is shifting from scientific feasibility to building robust manufacturing systems capable of delivering life-changing therapies to a larger patient population. Advances in lentiviral vector engineering and targeted delivery technologies are seen as key drivers for future progress, complementing improvements in manufacturing scalability and process robustness.
Wenyan Leong, director at Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, notes that the biggest challenge in ex vivo CAR T production lies in cumulative variability throughout the workflow, from cell collection to final product release. Automation is viewed as a practical solution, particularly for cell expansion, which is labor-intensive and prone to human error.
Integrating multiple processing steps into a single, continuous workflow can reduce handling, washing, and production time, while improving cell viability and consistency. Sophie He, vice president at Bracco, points out additional bottlenecks in ex vivo CAR T manufacturing, including complex supply chains, logistical challenges, and analytical demands that increase timelines and costs.
She emphasizes the need for a single closed, continuous workflow that integrates cell selection, activation, and other steps to streamline production, reduce costs, and improve product quality. Together, these advancements in both scientific and manufacturing domains are expected to create a scalable and accessible ecosystem, enabling more patients to benefit from advanced CAR T therapies.
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