Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – VJRegenMed

Streamlining cell therapy manufacturing with CliniMACS Prodigy

Simon Ng — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 08:38:41 +0000

Saskia Rösch, PhD, Miltenyi Biotec, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, gives an overview of CliniMACS Prodigy, a novel next-generation automated cell processing platform that aims to separate and process cell cultures for the manufacturing of cell therapies. The closed, scalable system enables the production of good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant products of consistent quality in a safe and clean environment. CliniMACS Prodigy additionally is flexible in a centralized or decentralized setting and can be used for various cell types including induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells. This interview took place at the International Conference on Lymphocyte Engineering (ICLE) 2022.

Generating iSPC-derived MSCs with the Cymerus™ Platform

Simon Ng — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:04:27 +0000

Ross Macdonald, PhD, Cynata Therapeutics, Melbourne, Australia, discusses the process of manufacturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with the Cymerus Platform. MSCs have shown encouraging efficacy as cell therapies and using iPSCs enables the MSCs to remain potent, as they do not require expansion. The iSPCs also do not require multiple donors as they can replicate indefinitely, resulting in MSCs of a consistent quality. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

The future of omentum-based autologous tissue engineering

Simon Ng — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:01:23 +0000

Advances in autologous tissue regeneration in the form of an omentum-derived hydrogel and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived tissue have led to promising therapies for spinal cord injury and cardiac infarction. Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, provides an overview of the future of this novel technology. Whilst currently only being assessed in two indications, this method of autologous tissue engineering can theoretically be applied to any type of damaged tissue. Potential indications include Parkinson’s Disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other musculoskeletal disorders. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Autologous tissue-engineered solutions for spinal cord injuries

Simon Ng — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:43:27 +0000

Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, discusses autologous neural implants for patients with spinal cord injuries, which consists of the implant itself and a scaffold. Omental tissue extracted from the patient via a biopsy is decellularized, resulting in the formation of thermo-responsive hydrogel that serves as the scaffold for the tissue-engineered product. Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the patient’s mature cells within the thermo-responsive hydrogel results in the formation of neural cells that can connect damaged spinal tissue. First-in-man clinical trials for the product are planned in 2025 in patients with spinal cord injuries. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Restoring cardiac tissue with omentum-based hydrogel implants

Simon Ng — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:43:26 +0000

Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, describes of the development of an autologous omental hydrogel to treat damaged cardiac tissue after a myocardial infarction. In a similar fashion to neural implants for spinal cord injuries also produced by Matricelf, the novel therapy utilizes autologous omental tissue that is decellularized to make a thermo-responsive hydrogel. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the patient’s peripheral blood subsequently differentiates into cardiac tissue when attached to the hydrogel. The implant can either be surgically attached on the injured tissue or can be injected and then solidify once in the body. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Overview of the ekko™ acoustic cell processing system

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:16:29 +0000

Nina Bauer, PhD, MBA, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, gives an overview of the process and advantages of the ekko acoustic cell processing system, a platform technology for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. In contrast to traditional mechanical or filtration methods that rely on filters with fixed pore sizes and centrifugal forces, the ekko system is based on acoustic waves which allow to gently concentrate and wash cells. The ekko system is a flexible tool that can process very small volumes as well as large aggregates which can be used in multiple cell applications. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

Addressing issues associated with bringing iSPC-derived MSCs to the clinic

Simon Ng — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 12:25:13 +0000

Tony Ting, PhD, Bone Therapeutics SA, Gosselies, Belgium, discusses challenges associated with developing cell therapies for clinical use. Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) remains a major barrier for many manufacturers, which lead to the creation of genetically engineered induced pluripotent stem cell-(iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Dr Ting additionally highlights how genetically engineered therapies can overcome regulatory issues relating to potency assays. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

Enhancing the therapeutic capacity of MSCs

Simon Ng — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:59:08 +0000

Despite numerous clinical trials featuring mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies, only a select few have reached clinical approval. Tony Ting, PhD, Bone Therapeutics SA, Gosselies, Belgium, describes strategies to professionalize MSCs. Expansion culture and differentiation of MSCs to promote bone healing in the ALLOB platform will hopefully unleash the full potential of MSCs. Dr Ting additionally comments on genetic manipulation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to professionalize MSCs, where iSPC-derived MSCs will lead to therapies with a consistent quality. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

Evaluating the development of iSPC-derived MSCs

Simon Ng — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:59:05 +0000

Tony Ting, PhD, Bone Therapeutics SA, Gosselies, Belgium, provides an overview of the collaboration between Bone Therapeutics and Implant Therapeutics to research the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as well as develop genetically engineered iPSC-derived MSCs. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

Accelerating regenerative therapies for volumetric muscle loss

Simon Ng — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 18:10:28 +0000

Suradip Das, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, discusses issues relating to tissue-engineered treatments for volumetric muscle loss (VML). Finding the optimal conditions for co-culturing myocytes and motor neurons, which are both necessary for muscle growth, is an important consideration, as well as developing strategies to have animal models with similar levels of VML. Dr Das additionally comments on the potential use of induced pluripotent stem cells, and clinically relevant delayed repair models in an in vivo setting. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).