A Preservation and Packaging Platform for Cell and Tissue Based Therapies

Lead Research Organisation: Loughborough University
Department Name: Sch of Mechanical and Manufacturing Eng

Abstract

This project aims to create a preservation and packaging platform for cell and tissue based therapies, allowing UK companies to reach the European, North American and other global markets. Traditionally, preservation, storage and transportation solutions for biological entities, mostly protein-based, have involved lyophilisation (freeze drying) and/or cryopreservation. However, living cells constitute an essential part of cell therapy applications and there is a real and urgent need for packaging solutions that preserve cell viability and function post transport, and provide ease-of-use to the end-user in clinic. Validatable packaging platforms that allow improved preservation and shelf life of living products will give UK businesses the capability to reach world markets from UK sites and maximise their share of the global value chain. This project will demonstrate key components of a packaging and shipping platform for human cell and tissue based therapies.
 
Description This project aimed to create a preservation and packaging platform for cell and tissue based therapies, allowing UK companies to reach the European, North American and other global markets. Traditionally, preservation, storage and transportation solutions for biological entities, mostly protein-based, have involved freezing or freeze drying. However, living cells constitute an essential part of cell therapy applications and there is a real and urgent need for packaging solutions that preserve cell viability and function post transport, and provide ease-of-use to the end-user in clinic. Validatable packaging platforms that allow improved preservation and shelf life of living products will give UK businesses the capability to reach world markets from UK sites and maximise their share of the global value chain. This project has demonstrated key components of a packaging and shipping platform for human cell and tissue based therapies in particular the use of mathematical modelling for package design and the effects of temperature and vibration during cold chain shipping of therapeutic cell types.
Exploitation Route Mathematical models for the design of packaging have been implemented by an industrial partner. Measurement of the effects of vibration experienced by cells in transportation has identified the requirement to better understand the underlying phenomena in order to improve the design of transport systems.
Sectors Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport
URL http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/lcbe/research/current-projects/preservation-packaging.html
 
Description Mathematical models for the design of packaging have been implemented by an industrial partner.
First Year Of Impact 2010
Sector Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport
Impact Types Economic
 
Description CDT Capital - Atomic Force Microscope
Amount £120,000 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2015 
End 03/2015
 
Description AFM characterisation of cell mechanics 
Organisation JPK Instruments
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution JPK have given in-kind support of access to NanoWizard 3 BioScience AFM facilities and staff time working on characterisation of cell mechanical properties
Start Year 2011