Imagine a scenario where a prominent life sciences company safeguards 573,000 biological samples collected two decades ago during a groundbreaking study. Today, these samples rest in a tucked-away basement of a modest laboratory, nestled among numerous cryogenic freezers within a section of the building inaccessible to anyone involved in the original research. The samples intermingle […]
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The field of cell and gene therapy (CGT) is experiencing an exciting transformation, marked by the recent FDA approval for the first CRISPR-based sickle cell treatment. As the CGT landscape rapidly expands, it’s important for stakeholders to address the challenges of scalability head-on. Cryopreservation emerges as a critical yet understated element in the scalability equation, essential for […]
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The ever-expanding horizon of medical research and healthcare delivery owes a significant debt to the technological advancements that have shaped the industry. Among the many innovations, cryopreservation stands out as a pivotal technique that preserves the integrity and functionality of biological specimens over extended periods. By freezing cells, tissues, and even whole organs at sub-zero […]
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Recap of an Interview with David Lewandowski, Azenta Life Sciences, and Carol Houts, Chief Strategy Officer at Germfree, in partnership with Phacilitate The cutting-edge domain of cell and gene therapies is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with innovative technologies and groundbreaking treatments promising to revolutionize healthcare. However, as these therapies continue to advance, so do the challenges surrounding […]
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Automation plays a vital role in the manufacturing process of advanced therapies, yet the cold chain infrastructure has often been overlooked. While automated solutions are sometimes perceived as expensive alternatives, recent studies have demonstrated the tangible benefits of automating cold chain processes, including time efficiencies and improved process rigor. This article explores a study conducted […]
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An Interview with Cryobiology Expert Dr. Jason Acker Freezing is stressful for mammalian cells – to say the least. Cells face potentially dangerous ice crystals and severe dehydration when cooled to very low temperatures. Yet, by carefully configuring a cryopreservation protocol, cells can be shielded from injury. Thanks to discoveries in cryobiology, scientists have preserved […]
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Cryopreservation extends the viability of cells by cooling them to extremely low temperatures and thus keeping them in a safe, biochemically inactive state. This process gives much-needed flexibility to researchers and those developing cell-based therapies. The latter involves collecting living cells from donors, transporting them to manufacturing sites for processing or screening, and then delivering […]
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When Pfizer initially released its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, distributing it was a major challenge. Scientists thought that the vaccine had to be stored at -70°C, requiring dry ice or ultra-cold freezers. At scale, explains David Lewandowski, Azenta’s Strategic Partnerships Manager for Automated Storage, “Temperature matters. The warmer it is, the easier it is [to deliver […]
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Part Three of our A Practical Guide to Planning a Cryogenic Storage Facility Series In our previous blog post, we uncovered key safety considerations and why monitoring your LN2 facility and storage units is imperative in ensuring the safety of your facility. In this part of our blog series, we lay out the key factors to consider when […]
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Part Two of our Protecting Complete Chain of Custody Series As we discussed in our last post, the Role of Biobanking in Protecting Sample Chain of Custody, biobanks serve as biospecimen libraries as well as sample data, validation, and reference sources for both research and clinical labs. Like any part of a controlled process, establishment of a quality […]
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