PHC and CCRM Partner to Develop New T-Cell Expansion Culture Processes for CGT

• PHC Corporation has signed a Master Collaboration Agreement with CCRM to develop improved T-cell expansion culture processes for cell and gene therapy (CGT).

• The partnership will integrate PHC’s LiCellGrow system with CCRM’s expertise in regenerative medicine to enhance cell culture efficiency and quality.

PHC Corporation has entered a strategic collaboration with CCRM, a leader in regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing, to develop improved primary T-cell expansion culture processes for cell and gene therapy (CGT). The partnership aims to accelerate the manufacturing of cell-based therapeutics by integrating PHC’s LiCellGrow, a cell expansion system under development, with CCRM’s knowledge of biomanufacturing and regenerative medicine.

Primary T-cells, used in CGT processes like CAR-T therapy, often present variability in growth rates and quality, posing challenges in maintaining stable cell counts and culture consistency. The collaboration seeks to address these issues by improving culture conditions and optimising cell expansion methods.

PHC has developed In-Line monitoring technology to track key metabolic indicators in real time, allowing researchers to analyse glucose uptake and lactate production continuously. In 2024, the company launched LiCellMo, a live-cell metabolic analyser, across multiple global markets, including the US, Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia. Building on this technology, LiCellGrow is designed to automatically exchange media based on cellular metabolic states, ensuring optimal culture environments.

“This joint research and development initiative with CCRM will contribute to advancing the manufacturing processes for cell-based therapeutics,” said Chikara Takauo, Director of PHC and Head of the Biomedical Division. “By combining the technologies and expertise of both organisations, we aim to support the early practical application of CGT.”

“We are excited to collaborate with PHC to unlock new possibilities in cell culture,” explained Michael May, President and CEO of CCRM. “Technology development partnerships, like this one, are key to advancing the industry and making CGT more cost effective, and therefore more accessible to patients around the world.”

The collaboration will allow PHC to analyse culture conditions using LiCellGrow to establish optimal processes for primary T-cells. The initiative is expected to enhance cell quality, improve manufacturing efficiency, and reduce costs in the production of cell-based therapies, making CGT more accessible to patients worldwide.