Labcorp is teaming up with Xcell to expedite CGT development
Xcellbio develops technologies and platforms designed to further the research, development, and manufacturing of cell and gene therapies (CGTs).
The partners are set to work on a series of projects focused on improving the safety and efficacy of such therapies; CGTs are being tested for use in the treatment in Parkinson’s disease, an array of rare diseases, and both solid tumors and blood-based cancers.
Research-grade CAR-T cell material
The collaborators said they are planning to leverage Xcellbio’s AVATAR incubator system to grow and expand research-grade CAR-T cell material. The technology will also be used to adapt cancer cells to more physiologic conditions and to extend 3D modelling for in-vitro CAR-T testing, they added.
“We’re continuously striving to advance cell and gene therapy development through technology innovations that enable the precise control of cell populations to enhance the potency and persistence needed for optimal patient outcomes,” said Brian Feth, CEO of Xcellbio. “The exciting projects we’re undertaking with Labcorp allow our shared clients to harness the institutional knowledge and resources of a global organization to craft innovative approaches to develop potentially curative treatments.”
The collaboration—the latest in LabCorp’s string of recent CGT-focused relationships—follows the Burlington, North Carolina’s firm’s investment in Xcellbio in November 2021.
Regulatory advances
Labcorp, which reported revenue of US$16bn for FY2021, said the alliance underscores its efforts to address complex CGT development through industry connectivity, with the company also flagging that it has helped to support the development of all six US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CAR-T cell therapies, as well as both FDA-approved gene replacement therapies.
