By Ben Kerrigan-
Two decades of groundbreaking advancements in stem cell research and clinical applications are being celebrated at a special event hosted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) South Mimms Laboratories.
The occasion not only marks the remarkable achievements of the UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB), but also heralds a promising future of advanced therapeutics driven by innovative automation and machine learning.
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Human embryonic stem cells, with their regenerative potential, are poised to transform the landscape of medical treatment. These remarkable cells offer a glimmer of hope for conditions as diverse as blindness, blood cancer, and heart disease.
However, the challenge has always been their complex and costly manufacturing process, limiting their availability to patients.
Dr. Lee Carpenter, Head of the UK Stem Cell Bank, noted, “Stem cell treatments are difficult to manufacture because it’s labor-intensive and expensive, making their availability to help patients limited.”
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In order to tackle this challenge and accelerate patient access to stem cell therapies, the UKSCB is turning to automation and machine learning.
This leap in technology promises to streamline the laborious aspects of stem cell production, significantly scaling up manufacturing while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards.
The MHRA Chief Science and Innovation Officer, Dr. Marc Bailey, emphasized the importance of this transformative approach: “This isn’t the stuff of science fiction. Our unique asset at the MHRA, the UKSCB, means we will continue to be at the forefront of the latest scientific developments so that we can help bring safe and effective treatments to the people who need them most.”
The UKSCB’s 20-year legacy is rooted in its commitment to curate and distribute human embryonic stem cells.
Over this period, it has evolved into a global leader in advanced therapeutics, recognized for curating over 180 different human embryonic stem cell lines used for research and development, many of which hold great promise for treating patients.
Notably, the UKSCB recently conducted a pioneering trial using the CellQualia Intelligent Cell Processing System, a state-of-the-art robot developed in Japan.
This trial demonstrated the feasibility of automating stem cell production and assessing whether the manufactured cells met the stringent standards required for potentially life-saving treatments.
The success of this endeavor opens doors to further exploration of automation systems in future studies, comparing automated and manual production methods.
Dr. Lee Carpenter expressed optimism, stating, “This ultimately means patients could get faster access to more cost-effective, safer stem cell therapies to treat or prevent their condition or disease.”
The implications of this technological shift are profound. With the support of national partners, including the Medical Research Council (MRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the UKSCB is positioning itself as the largest source of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cells globally.
In 2022, the UKSCB supplied stem cells to 25 different countries for research and clinical applications, with 54% of the stem cell lines requested being of clinical grade.
Dr. Bailey summarized the MHRA’s commitment to pioneering research, stating, “The UKSCB’s future is diverse and exciting, and, much like the cells we curate, there are endless possibilities for us to support research and clinical advances in the UK and around the world.”
The UKSCB looks forward to a future of automation-driven stem cell manufacturing, it promises a brighter, more accessible horizon for patients eagerly awaiting life-changing treatments.
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