- Collaboration aims to develop scalable GMP-grade iPSC
manufacturing processes and therapeutic candidates to facilitate
research leading to translation of novel cellular
immunotherapies.
- Launch of the joint labs builds on existing license, research
collaboration and Memorandum of Understanding between SCG Cell
Therapy and A*STAR.
SINGAPORE, April 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SCG Cell Therapy (SCG) and
the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) announced
the launch joint laboratories for cellular immunotherapies. This
collaboration, at a combined funding of close to S$30 million supported under Singapore's Research, Innovation and
Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE2025), aims to advance the development of
induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to produce novel
cell therapies that meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
standards. The collaboration will also establish a talent
development programme to train the next generation of experts in
this field, in accordance with current GMP and regulatory
requirements.
The research and application of new technologies are essential
for addressing growing healthcare needs and maintaining long-term
sustainability. However, turning laboratory innovations into
practical clinical solutions poses significant challenges. These
often involve developing manufacturing processes, validating
analytical methods, and implementing automation and digitalisation
to guarantee the stability and scalability of products.
The joint laboratories, established at SCG's GMP facility and
A*STAR's research facility, leverage SCG's and A*STAR's proprietary
technologies to develop scalable GMP-grade iPSC and therapeutic
products. SCG contributes its specialised, automated cell therapy
manufacturing technologies, while A*STAR brings its unique
monoclonal antibody assets, iPSC banks, and expertise in process
scaling and analytics.
This collaboration bridges the expertise between public sector
research and development (R&D) and industry, consolidating
resources from SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR's Bioprocessing
Technology Institute (BTI) and Institute of Molecular and Cell
Biology (IMCB) to advance innovative R&D towards GMP
manufacturing. Additionally, it immerses researchers in the
rigorously controlled GMP environment, facilitating the progression
from research to clinical application.
"Cellular immunotherapies herald a new era of regenerative
medicine, offering hope for patients with cancers and other serious
illnesses. As a key player in T cell receptor (TCR) T cell
therapeutics, SCG has developed in-house cGMP manufacturing
capabilities to supply high-quality cell therapy products to
patients. Through this first-of-its-kind joint collaboration with
A*STAR, we bring together A*STAR's advanced iPSC technology and
bioprocessing capabilities with our expertise in GMP cell therapy
manufacturing and clinical development, furthering our mission to
provide affordable off-the-shelf cell therapy treatment options to
patients", said Christy Ma, Chief
Strategy Officer of SCG Cell Therapy.
"The discovery of iPSCs has revolutionised regenerative
medicine, offering the potential for standardised, off-the-shelf
cell therapies. Through this collaboration with SCG Cell Therapy,
we aim to accelerate the translation of iPSC research into
clinically viable therapies and strengthen Singapore's position as a global leader in
cell therapy innovation. By leveraging our complementary expertise
and resources, the joint labs will not only advance iPSC technology
for scalable, GMP-compliant cell therapy production but also serve
as a platform for nurturing the next generation of talent in this
transformative field," said Prof Koh Boon
Tong, Executive Director, A*STAR's BTI.
About iPSC
Induced pluripotent stem cells (also known as iPS cells or
iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cell that can be generated
directly from adult cells. The iPSC technology was pioneered by
Shinya Yamanaka's lab in
Kyoto, Japan, who showed in 2006
that the introduction of four specific genes encoding transcription
factors could convert adult cells into pluripotent stem cells. He
was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize along with Sir John Gurdon "for the discovery that mature cells
can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent". Pluripotent stem cells
hold great promise in the field of regenerative medicine. Because
they can propagate indefinitely, as well as give rise to every
other cell type in the body (such as neurons, heart, pancreatic and
liver cells), they represent a single source of cells that could be
used to replace those lost to damage or disease.
About SCG Cell Therapy
SCG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on the
development of novel immunotherapies in infections and its
associated cancers. The company targets the most common
cancer-causing infections: helicobacter pylori, human
papillomavirus, and hepatitis B, and develops a broad and unique
pipeline against infections and to prevent and cure its associated
cancers. Established and headquartered in Singapore, SCG combines regional advantages in
Singapore, China and Germany, covering the entire value chain from
innovative drug research and discovery, manufacturing, clinical
development and commercialization. For more information about SCG,
please visit us at www.scgcell.com.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is
Singapore's lead public sector
R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our
partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the
economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation,
A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research
creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving
societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.
A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders
for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D
activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and
engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis
and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit
www.a-star.edu.sg.
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SOURCE SCG Cell Therapy Pte Ltd