Thermo Fisher Scientific and the University of California to develop and manufacture cell-based therapies

Thermo Fisher Scientific and the University of California have recently announced they have formed a strategic alliance to develop and manufacture cell-based therapies. Thermo Fisher will build and operate a forty-four thousand square-foot cell therapy centre in leased space on UCSF’s Mission Bay campus, under the agreement, which includes hospitals and biomedical research facilities. In addition, the site, which is expected to open in 2022, will offer commercial and clinical cGMP cell therapy manufacturing services, in addition to associated technology development support, to UCSF and other partners.

Furthermore, the facility will serve as a central location where UCSF researchers and customers will access Thermo Fisher’s vast portfolio of Cell Therapy Systems consumables, reagents, fit for purpose instrumentation and compliant software. Moreover, the CTS portfolio has been created to work together and flawlessly change from research to clinical manufacturing to address cell therapy production workflow challenges.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Mark Stevenson, stated: “We are bringing together UCSF’s leadership in the newest forms of cellular immunotherapy and Thermo Fisher’s extensive capabilities in cell therapy instrumentation, manufacturing and distribution. This powerful combination will provide customers, from emerging biotechs to large pharma companies, with integrated, end-to-end solutions to reduce costs and accelerate adoption of cell therapies, ultimately improving patient access to these transformative treatments.”

Chancellor of UCSF. Sam Hawgood, MBBS, stated: “We expect breakthrough treatments for many different diseases and conditions to come from cell therapies. Establishing cell therapy manufacturing in such close proximity to our scientists, clinicians and patients will enable UCSF to catalyze innovation in living therapeutics and use the resulting discoveries to benefit our patients.”