Labcorp and Xcellbio will jointly work on several projects that will use Xcellbio’s AVATAR incubator system to improve the safety and efficacy of CGTs
Labcorp enhances cell and gene therapy development. (Credit: Laboratory Corporation of America)
Global life sciences company Labcorp has teamed up with Xcell Biosciences (Xcellbio) to help its clients bring advanced cell and gene therapies to market.
Xcellbio is focused on the design and development of technology platforms that enhance the performance and safety of cell and gene-based therapies (CGTs).
Under the collaboration, both companies will jointly work on several projects aimed at improving the safety and efficacy of CGTs.
The projects will use Xcellbio’s AVATAR incubator system to develop and expand research-grade CAR-T cell material that targets cancer cells.
Xcellbio CEO Brian Feth said: “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.
“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.”
CGTs work by modifying a person’s genes to treat disease by altering a disease-causing cell or gene, or replacing it with a modified one.
The therapeutics are currently being tested for treating several diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, rare diseases, solid tumours, and blood-based cancers.
The collaboration follows Labcorp’s strategic investment in Xcellbio in November last year, and underscores its efforts to address the unique needs of complex CGT development.
The partnership will strengthen its CGT capabilities, and aids pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in advancing therapeutic development, said Labcorp.
Labcorp vice president and cell and gene therapy enterprise head Maryland Franklin said: “Labcorp is firmly committed to helping our clients bring new treatment options to patients in need while revolutionising the future of medicine with cell and gene therapies.
“By pairing the scale and breadth of our enterprise-wide CGT solutions with Xcellbio’s powerful technology, we have an opportunity to enhance and accelerate the CGT development experience.”