Corning’s New Cell and Gene Therapy Platform Demonstrates Large-Scale Bioproduction

On Aug. 18, 2021, Corning announced the preview of its new Corning Ascent fixed bed reactor (FBR) system at the 2021 Bioprocessing Summit, which ran Aug. 16–19 in Boston. The FBR system is a high-density, automated bioproduction platform that is designed to enable the large-scale manufacture of adherent cells needed to create advanced therapies. The system is said to lower the cost of production, according to a company press release.

Corning developed the Ascent FBR System to specifically achieve high-yield efficiency in adherent cell lines while allowing for the scale and automation typically associated with suspension platforms. The system has demonstrated greater than 90% recovery, viability, and transfection efficiency in cell and gene therapy workflows, including viral vector production, the company stated in the press release. The system has a broad range of applications, such as regenerative medicines, that require large quantities of cell harvesting. In addition to this initial benchtop system previewed at the Bioprocessing Summit, Corning plans to launch larger Ascent FBR formats ranging from 1 m² to 1000 m².

“The cell and gene therapy industry has an urgent need for a scalable, cost-efficient way to manufacture cells and cell-based products,” said John Tobin, vice-president and general manager of Corning Life Sciences, in the press release. “With the Ascent FBR System, we have created a new technology platform designed to scale up bioproduction; significantly improve yield; and reduce the time, cost, and waste involved in getting advanced therapies to market.”

“Corning’s Ascent FBR System has the potential to drive further efficiencies in the bioproduction process so that our customers can more quickly and more economically deliver potential treatment options that were once thought impossible,” Tobin added in the press release.

Source: Corning