Revolutionizing Cellular Therapies: How Automation is Transforming the Industry

In this podcast, we spoke with Ryan Bernhardt, CEO of Biosero and Jesse Mulcahy, Director and Head of Automation at Cellino about the importance of utilizing automation in cell therapy research and production and the potential of these technologies to transform the healthcare landscape and improve patient access. The Challenge of Accessibility in Cellular Therapy The traditional methods of creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are notoriously laborious and expensive, often costing hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars per patient. This high cost poses a substantial barrier to accessibility for many patients in need of personalized cell therapy treatments. Cellino is leveraging advanced automation, AI, and linear technology to dramatically redefine and improve on traditional production processes. Advancing Automation in Cell Therapy Cellino’s approach employs its innovative technology, known as NEBULA. This system utilizes self-contained units, referred to as cassettes, to cultivate personalized cell therapies directly in hospitals. NEBULA uses AI to monitor cell growth while incorporating laser technology to selectively eliminate unhealthy cells. This level of automation has the potential to reduce the manufacturing costs of personalized stem cell therapies by at least tenfold, making treatments more accessible to a broader range of patients. Supporting automation for Cellino is Biosero’s Green Button Go software suite, which plays a crucial role in automating the workflows of life science organizations. Ryan explained how their technology empowers life science organizations to automate essential scientific processes, facilitating the scheduling of workflows and direct communication with lab instruments. With the capability to run processes continuously—day or night—labs can maintain and cultivate cells without the constraints of a conventional workweek. This 24/7 operational capacity allows for the rigorous demands of cellular therapeutics to be met more efficiently. Bridging Gaps with Integrated Automation Ryan describes how lab automation can no longer be seen as merely robotic arms and conveyor belts; it integrates three key elements: physical, logical, and data. By orchestrating these components, automation streamlines and accelerates research across labs that were traditionally siloed and specialized in specific areas. This approach connects different labs, unifying knowledge, expertise, and data systems, enabling real-time decision-making and data-driven insights. Automation enhances workflows by eliminating delays and optimizing project timelines. It serves as a performance tool for scientists, improving efficiency, consistency, and the ability to address complex challenges, while also incorporating AI and machine learning for smarter, continuous processes. Jesse Mulcahy, Director and Head of Automation at Cellino emphasized the significance of Biosero’s orchestration software in improving efficiency by optimizing scheduling, reducing downtime, and maximizing throughput in cell therapy production. The Green Button Go orchestrator improves consistency by automating key steps and minimizing human intervention, ensuring reproducible results for quality control. The software is flexible and modular, allowing for easy adaptation of workflows as needs evolve, whether adding new instruments or changing protocols. This scalability is crucial for producing personalized cell therapies more efficiently and at a larger scale. Addressing Pain Points and Future Trends Despite the advancements, there are still hurdles to overcome in the biologics’ development landscape. Ryan notes that the field is evolving rapidly, with significant advancements in cell culturing, automation, and decision-making processes. Traditional cell culturing is being automated to assess key factors like cell viability, confluence, and other qualitative aspects, aiding decisions on feeding, splitting, and harvesting. While improvements are still needed, especially for various cell lines and techniques, the integration of cryopreservation and storage/retrieval is also advancing. Newer technologies like spheroids, organoids, and gene/protein therapies are driving automation efforts, with a focus on achieving robustness, cost-effectiveness, and higher quality outputs in life science organizations. Looking ahead, both Ryan and Jesse envision a future of enhanced modularity and integration of AI in biologics development. As more laboratories adopt decentralized manufacturing systems, the potential for on-site production of personalized therapies will drastically reduce costs and time associated with transporting and scaling these treatments. The integration of advanced imaging and robotics technologies will also allow for unprecedented precision in monitoring and manipulating cells, opening new avenues in cell and gene therapy. A Bright Future for Automation in Biologics The future of automation in biologics developme