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Cellular Origins acquires ACTIA Platform to enhance automated cell therapy production

Cellular Origins, a TTP company specialising in cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing solutions, has announced the acquisition of the Autologous Cell Therapy Industrial Automation (ACTIA) Platform intellectual property. The acquisition is set to augment the company’s existing Constellation™ platform, which was launched in May 2023.

Addressing the challenges of large-scale CGT production

The CGT sector has struggled with the complexities of scaling up production whilst maintaining cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Cellular Origins’ Constellation platform, which integrates advanced automation robotics with aseptic fluid-handling technologies, has already made significant strides in addressing these challenges. The addition of the ACTIA Platform IP is expected to further enhance the company’s capabilities in this arena.

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ACTIA Platform: Tailored for autologous cell therapy manufacturing

The ACTIA Platform, developed by Geoff Hodge during his tenure as CEO of SOTIO Biotech US, is specifically designed to meet the unique demands of autologous cell therapy manufacturing. Its key features include:

• Capability for massively multiplex and distributed industrial automation
• Selective capacity increase targeting process bottlenecks
• Random access to any process step or patient dose.

These attributes are anticipated to enable a more industrialised, flexible, and highly efficient manufacturing process for autologous cell therapies.

Synergistic technologies to accelerate development

The acquisition of the ACTIA Platform IP is not an isolated move for Cellular Origins. It complements the company’s recent partnership with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, which aims to develop strategies for seamless integration of bioprocessing equipment. This collaborative approach is expected to provide cell therapy developers with access to best-in-class unit operations within the Constellation platform.

Dr Edwin Stone, CEO at Cellular Origins, emphasised the strategic importance of the acquisition, saying: “The acquisition of the ACTIA Platform IP shows Cellular Origins continued dedication to creating the most efficient, cost effective and scalable solution to cell therapy manufacturing. Combined with ongoing R&D, this expansion of our technology and IP portfolio underpins our commitment to develop Constellation to solve the challenge of affordable, large-scale production of cell therapies that meets the needs of our customers and ensures we can offer the right solution for long-term success.”

A paradigm shift in autologous cell therapy manufacturing

The traditional approach of sequential unit operations, which has been successful in recombinant protein production, has proven inadequate for the unique requirements of autologous cell therapy. Hodge, former CEO of SOTIO Biotech US and now Scientific Advisor at Cellular Origins, highlighted this paradigm shift: “The approach of stringing together sequential unit ops, as we did to manufacture recombinant proteins, does not meet the unique needs of autologous cell therapy. Constellation has already demonstrated its capabilities to transform manufacturing of cell therapies, offering an easily accessible route to cost- and space-efficient, large-scale production. ACTIA further augments Constellation, and the ambition to revolutionise cell therapy manufacturing and deliver life-saving therapies to more patients than ever before.”

The integration of the ACTIA Platform IP into Cellular Origins’ technology portfolio is expected to have far-reaching implications for the CGT sector. By addressing key bottlenecks in the manufacturing process and offering greater flexibility and efficiency, this development could potentially accelerate the path to market for numerous cell therapies.