Bracco Launches BubbleGen CD3+ T Cell Selection Kit for Bead-Free Cell Therapy Manufacturing
核心洞察
Bracco Imaging (搜索) launched the BubbleGen CD3+ T Cell Selection Kit (搜索), the first expansion of its microbubble-based cell selection portfolio following an early access program in May.
The kit uses antibody-targeted lipid microbubbles that dissipate after separation, eliminating magnetic bead detachment, residual contamination, and cell loss concerns in cell therapy workflows.
The bead-free, ready-to-use solution supports CD3 (搜索)+ T-cell isolation and depletion, CAR-T and TCR-T development, and T-cell process development workflows for research use.
Bracco Imaging (搜索), a global pharmaceutical company focused on diagnostic imaging and healthcare solutions, announced the expansion of its BubbleGen™ cell selection portfolio with the launch of the BubbleGen CD3+ T Cell Selection Kit (搜索). Built on Bracco's microbubble technology, the kit is designed to enable new cell therapy workflows, including a highly scalable and cost-effective approach to manufacturing CAR-T cell therapies. This launch marks the first of multiple planned expansions of the BubbleGen family of cell selection solutions following the debut of its early access program in May this year.
Addressing a Critical Manufacturing Bottleneck
Cell selection is a critical step in cell therapy manufacturing, but the industry-standard magnetic bead-based approach adds complexity, time, and cost to workflows—described by Bracco as "the enemies of scale." BubbleGen represents Bracco's response to industry demand for non-magnetic bead-based alternatives, providing a gentle selection method that minimizes cell perturbation for more reliable downstream applications.
At the core of the workflow is a deflatable microbubble technology that eliminates concerns around bead detachment, magnetic residuals, and cell loss in columns, enabling more efficient development of cell therapies from CAR-T to TCR-T. The technology uses antibody-targeted lipid microbubbles to selectively bind desired cell populations; following separation, the microbubbles naturally dissipate, leaving selected cells free of magnetic particles.
Kit Capabilities and Applications
The BubbleGen CD3 (搜索)+ Cell Selection Kit is a scalable, ready-to-use solution designed for CD3+ T-cell isolation through a simplified, bead-free workflow. The kit supports applications and programs including T cell isolation and T cell depletion, CAR-T and TCR-T development, and T cell process development workflows.
BubbleGen supports rapid separation, compatibility with existing cell therapy workflows, and downstream applications such as phenotypic characterization, gene editing, gene expression analysis, and functional testing. The solution is designed to provide researchers with flexibility as therapeutic targets and manufacturing requirements evolve.
"Cell therapy manufacturing requires technologies that can scale with the growing demands of the industry while reducing complexity and cost," said Sophie He, VP of Cell Therapy, Bracco Imaging (搜索). "The expansion of the BubbleGen portfolio reflects Bracco's commitment to advancing practical solutions for cell therapy developers as they move toward GMP manufacturing. By providing a ready-to-use CD3 (搜索)+ selection kit, we are helping researchers accelerate process development today while building a foundation for the next generation of cell therapies."
The Case for Gentler, More Precise Separation
In a separate discussion with BioSpectrum Asia, Sophie He elaborated on the broader shift in cell therapy development toward selecting the right cells rather than simply more cells. CD3 (搜索)+ T cells have been used successfully as starting material for first-generation commercial CAR-T cell therapies, but they comprise multiple subpopulations that each function differently—including CD8 (搜索)+ T cells, which are responsible for directly recognizing and killing diseased or tumor cells, as well as other subsets that can suppress antitumor immune responses.
Traditional magnetic bead-based and flow cytometry-based separation methods require multiple steps such as antibody labeling and bead attachment and removal, extending processing time. Use of standard platforms like magnetic columns and centrifuges can introduce mechanical stresses that may reduce cell viability or lead to batch failure. These approaches also increase manufacturing complexity, cost, and processing duration, which can limit scalability and narrow the available therapeutic window.
By contrast, the microbubble-based cell selection approach offers a gentler technology that helps maintain high cell purity and viability. It is an open platform and highly flexible technology that can be applied to almost any type of cell therapy workflow and does not require dedicated hardware. Cell selection and activation can be achieved in a single step, further simplifying the overall workflow.
Commercial Implications and Availability
"Developers face increasing pressure to streamline manufacturing processes while maintaining high cell quality and consistency," said Thierry Bettinger, R&D Director, Bracco Research Center Geneva. "BubbleGen provides researchers with a bead-free approach that combines workflow simplicity with the flexibility needed to support emerging cell therapy applications. With this CD3 (搜索)+ solution, we are giving researchers tools that can address current needs, extending the flexibility for many therapeutic targets and workflows."
The BubbleGen CD3 (搜索)+ Cell Selection Kit is now available for research use. Researchers can purchase the kit and register to participate in evaluation programs for future applications at BubbleGen.com. Bracco is introducing the kit at the CAR-TCR Summit September 16-17 in Boston, where attendees can connect with the Bracco cell therapy team at booth #25 or attend the company presentation on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:20 PM during the Early-Stage Manufacturing stream.
Bracco Group, founded in 1927, operates in the healthcare sector across more than 100 countries with a workforce of over 4,000 employees and consolidated annual revenues of approximately €2 billion, 88% generated by international markets. The company invests around 9% of its reference turnover in Research & Development.