ABEC, a global leader in biotech manufacturing solutions, has unveiled its Advanced Therapy Bioreactor (ATB™), a breakthrough technology designed to revolutionize cell expansion processes for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). The innovative platform addresses critical limitations in current cell therapy manufacturing systems by delivering superior process control and scalability from laboratory to commercial production.
The ATB™ system represents a significant advancement in cell culture technology by mimicking the human circulatory system. This biomimetic approach enables more efficient and controlled cell expansion, a crucial step in developing cell-based therapies for various diseases.
Innovative Design Principles
The ATB™ employs proprietary hollow fiber membrane networks that enable localized nutrient delivery and waste removal, creating optimal conditions for cellular growth. Unlike conventional bioreactors that rely on bubbles and mechanical agitation—methods that can damage sensitive cell lines—the ATB™ utilizes oscillation-based mixing and diffusion-based gas transfer.
This gentle approach maintains an ideal growth environment for delicate cell types, including primary T-cells used in CAR-T therapies and other advanced cellular treatments. The entire bioreactor and process flow paths are single-use, with closed and fully automated system operation, reducing contamination risks and operational complexity.
Seamless Scalability
A key advantage of the ATB™ is its consistent performance across different production scales. The system maintains a constant ratio between hollow fiber surface area and bioreactor volume across all scales, from 0.2L to 10L. This design feature preserves consistent cell culture conditions throughout the development pipeline—from early research to clinical trials and commercial manufacturing.
"Scalability has been a persistent challenge in cell therapy manufacturing," explained Scott Pickering, CEO of ABEC. "The ATB™ addresses this by providing a platform that grows with the therapy, eliminating the need to redevelop processes at each scale."
Demonstrated Performance
In extensive testing, the ATB™ has shown impressive results with various cell types critical to advanced therapies. The system has demonstrated high cell densities and viabilities for primary T-cells and CD34+ stem cells, which are essential for many cellular immunotherapies and regenerative medicine applications. Additionally, the ATB™ has performed well with HEK293 and CHO cell lines, which are commonly used in biopharmaceutical production.
"The ATB™ introduction is another milestone in ABEC's 50-year history of bioprocess innovation," said Pickering. "Similar to our solutions for recombinant protein manufacturing, the ATB™ promises to address the most difficult challenges in advanced therapy manufacturing and accelerate our partners' time to clinic and market."
Industry Impact
The introduction of the ATB™ comes at a critical time for the cell therapy industry. As more cellular therapies progress through clinical trials and receive regulatory approvals, manufacturers face increasing pressure to develop scalable, cost-effective production methods. Current manufacturing challenges have contributed to the high costs of approved cell therapies, limiting patient access.
By improving manufacturing efficiency and scalability, technologies like the ATB™ could help reduce production costs and expand access to these potentially life-saving treatments. The system's ability to maintain optimal conditions for sensitive cell lines may also improve product quality and consistency, addressing another key challenge in cell therapy manufacturing.
Company Background
ABEC has been a fixture in the biotech manufacturing industry since 1974, providing engineered process solutions and services. The company serves the majority of the world's pharmaceutical and biotech companies, with many leading therapies manufactured using ABEC's equipment and processes.
The company's approach combines long experience, comprehensive in-house capabilities, and a custom, flexible approach to address specific client needs. ABEC's solutions aim to reduce overall cost and time to market while maximizing productivity, whether clients are adding capacity or improving existing facilities.
