Catalent eBook - 22

Novel Approaches to Improve Cell Therapy Manufacturing

That program complements another of
Magenta's pipeline programs, a set of antibody-drug
conjugates that target and precisely remove specific

purposes, Cell Guidance Systems is using PODS
crystals to deliver growth factors.
Cell Guidance Systems' CEO Michael Jones, PhD,

disease-causing cells in the body without chemo-

says that PODS can make a significant difference in

therapy or radiation in preparation for a stem cell

the survival of the transplanted cells. " It's a little bit

transplant. The most advanced of these antibodies

like when you move a plant, " he explains. " Often,

is in preclinical studies for autoimmune disease.

you'll put a bit of compost in with the plant, and

Magenta is also working on a cell therapy product

that helps it thrive. It's the same thing with cells. You

for blood cancers and a solution for graft-versus-host

need to give them a little bit of a helping hand when

disease.

you're adapting them from one environment into the

Gardner believes that Magenta's technology
can eliminate the need for chemotherapy. " We
don't need to put the patient through this terrible

other. "

" We don't need to put the patient

experience, " he insists. " We have a much better way

through this terrible experience. We

to collect the best stem cells for transplant. We can

have a much better way to collect

use these targeted, very potent medicines from

the best stem cells for transplant. "

Magenta because we know the stem cell targets and

-Jason Gardner, DPhil, Magenta Therapeutics

we know how to remove them. This is very exciting,
and we believe will be game changing for patients.

The company is working with Akihiro J. Matsuoka,

A successful transplant, when it works, cures the

MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at

patient. "

Northwestern University, to improve the integration

A helping hand for stem cells

of cochlear implants. In this collaboration, PODS
containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Cell Guidance Systems is another company building

are being co-transplanted into the inner ear along

a technology portfolio of therapeutics and reagents

with neuronal cells differentiated from pluripotent

that support stem cell therapeutics. The company's

stem cells. Compared with ordinary growth factors,

POlyhedrin Delivery System (PODS) packs protein

there is a significantly enhanced quality of neurites

cargo into a protective protein crystal lattice and

of neuronal cells transplanted with the PODS growth

stabilizes it even at high temperatures. Polyhedrin is

factor.

an insect virus protein that is very highly expressed in

" You can see what a big difference it makes in

cells and self-assembles into crystals. In the presence

terms of the quality and functionality of the cell, "

of proteases, the PODS crystals slowly break down

says Jones, " if you're supporting it better by having

and release their protein cargo. For stem cell therapy

growth factors available for a long period of time. " n

22 |

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Catalent eBook

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Catalent eBook

Contents
Catalent eBook - 1
Catalent eBook - 2
Catalent eBook - 3
Catalent eBook - Contents
Catalent eBook - 5
Catalent eBook - 6
Catalent eBook - 7
Catalent eBook - 8
Catalent eBook - 9
Catalent eBook - 10
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Catalent eBook - 12
Catalent eBook - 13
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Catalent eBook - 15
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Catalent eBook - 19
Catalent eBook - 20
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Catalent eBook - 28
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