The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has announced it has overcome a significant bottleneck in the development of gene therapies.
CRD IUK
CPI said its CRD IUK project, which was launched in partnership with Cobra Biologics and GE Healthcare Life Sciences, has been successful in its aim to develop a scalable, cost-effective purification process for adeno-associated viruses (AAVs).
AAVs are a vital technology for the delivery of gene therapies into patients. By transporting genetic material into patient cells, AAVs are able to provide a cure for otherwise untreatable diseases.
However, manufacturers are currently hindered by the low efficiency of AAVs production, which slows down the overall development timescale of gene therapies, ultimately increasing the cost for payers in healthcare systems.
The CRD IUK project was funded by a £570K grant from Innovate UK and focused on optimising an AAV purification process using GE Healthcare Life Sciences’ Fibro chromatography material. The material is based on electrospun cellulose nanofibers that contain different chromatography functionalities, overcoming the limitations of existing chromatographic supports.
Whilst the technology was understood to be highly effective for purification of biomolecules, the CRD IUK project extended the technology’s effectiveness to AAVs. After assessing the technology, a multistep purification process was developed for AAV purification.
Daniel Smith, chief scientific officer, Cobra Biologics, said: “We are delighted to have been part of this collaboration working to develop robust processes for use in the development of gene therapies. This project has provided a scalable, cost-effective fibre-based chromatography method for production of AAVs that will greatly enhance development of innovative new treatments.”
John Liddell, chief technologist, CPI, said: “Gene therapies have the potential to be transformative for disease areas with unmet clinical need, and effective manufacturing processes are crucial for reaching the time and cost points necessary for achieving commercialisation. This was the second Innovate UK-funded project related to viral vectors for CPI and therefore further enhances the Catapult centre’s ability to support growth of this emerging sector, which has been confirmed in subsequent gene therapy projects.”
Oliver Hardick, business leader, Puridify, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, added: “This has been an excellent collaboration with Cobra Biologics and CPI. Together, we have made a big step forward in the production of viral vectors to be used in gene therapies. The success of the project will significantly reduce the cost and time associated with development and manufacturing of AAVs, helping to accelerate delivery of gene therapy products to market.”