- VectorBuilder and MaxCyte have entered a strategic partnership to co-develop a gene delivery platform combining VectorBuilder’s MiniVec™ plasmid system with MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology.
- Preliminary CAR-T manufacturing data showed 2.4x increased cell viability and 1.4x higher gene expression compared with conventional systems.
VectorBuilder and MaxCyte have announced a strategic partnership to develop a new ex vivo gene delivery platform for cell therapies. The collaboration combines VectorBuilder’s proprietary MiniVec™ plasmid system with MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology to support the development and manufacturing of next-generation cell therapies.
The companies said the partnership is intended to address challenges associated with existing gene delivery methods used in ex vivo cell engineering, including limitations in cell viability, therapeutic durability, manufacturing efficiency, and scalability. The platform is designed for applications such as CAR-T, CAR-NK, and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based therapies.
According to the companies, the MiniVec™ plasmid backbone removes the need for antibiotic- or additive-based selection during fermentation and is designed to simplify GMP production. MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology uses a continuous-flow process intended to reduce cellular stress while maintaining cell viability and functionality during gene delivery. Together, the technologies aim to improve transfection efficiency and manufacturing performance.
Preliminary data generated in CAR-T manufacturing demonstrated a 2.4-fold increase in cell viability and a 1.4-fold increase in gene expression compared with conventional systems. The companies stated that both technologies have been validated with multiple payload types, including DNA, RNA, and RNPs, and have been applied in gene editing, transposon-based cell engineering, and transient protein expression workflows.
“By combining MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology with VectorBuilder’s MiniVec platform, we believe we can enable a new standard for non-viral gene delivery—one that enhances cell quality, improves manufacturing efficiency, and provides developers with a more streamlined path from research through commercialization.”
Maher Masoud, President and CEO of MaxCyte
