#USA #ARPA-H #Fort Collins, Colorado #Likarda #CaseBioscience

CaseBioscience® Joins ARPA-H Funded Initiative for Cell Therapy Innovation

In a significant step towards advancing biomedicine, CaseBioscience® has joined a multidisciplinary team led by Likarda, recently awarded up to $7.3 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This funding aims to support the innovative program known as BioStabilization Systems (BoSS), focused on revolutionizing how cell therapies are stored and transported.

The Vision Behind BoSS

The BoSS program aspires to develop groundbreaking technologies that enable the production and storage of cells at room temperature without the need for refrigeration. This initiative strives to make advanced biological drugs as easy to transport and store as over-the-counter medications like aspirin. By achieving this, the team aims to enhance the accessibility of life-saving therapies, potentially transforming treatment paradigms for patients suffering from serious ailments.

A Highly Selective Team

The Reversible Ambient Biostabilization (RAB) team, now part of the BoSS initiative, is one of only three teams selected for this prestigious program. The team is comprised of experts across a variety of fields including bioconservation, cell biology, and biomedical engineering, among others. This collaboration includes notable organizations such as Draper, CPSI Biotech, Fresenius Kabi, MiNK Therapeutics, and Spencer Lab from the University of Colorado Boulder, underlining a robust consortium of knowledge and capability.

Program Goals and Timeline

The overarching goal of the BoSS program is to significantly reduce reliance on cold-chain logistics for cell-based therapies, fostering advancements that integrate specialized physiological mechanisms with innovative protective strategies for cells. Uprooting existing challenges, the initial phase of the initiative will commence over the next 15 months, starting September 24, 2026.

Impact on Cell Therapies

Cell-based therapies hold enormous promise for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, yet they often face logistical hurdles that limit their distribution. The technologies developed through BoSS could alleviate these challenges by ensuring the stability and viability of therapeutic cells at ambient temperatures.

Dr. John Baust, a leading expert in bioconservation involved with CPSI Biotech, noted that while the preservation of viable cells in a dry state has been researched for over two decades, significant scientific and engineering hurdles have hindered progress.

“The BoSS program presents an unprecedented opportunity to tackle this challenge from multiple innovative fronts. Success could lead to a paradigm shift in how we conserve, store, and distribute biological products,” Dr. Baust stated.

Building on Historical Research

This program reflects historical research expertise, as Dr. Lynda McGinnis from CaseBioscience played a pivotal role over two decades ago in early studies on preserving sperm cells in a desiccated state. Dr. McGinnis emphasizes the potential for a new standard in cell storage and transport, pivotal for various medical applications.

“It’s exhilarating to return to research initiatives we began over 25 years ago in Boston,” Dr. McGinnis remarked. “We are now at a point where we can revolutionize how we think about storing and transporting cells for therapeutic uses.”

CaseBioscience’s input will enhance the program with its extensive experience in clinical media development, bioconservation, and understanding cell metabolism. As Dr. Kevin Flynn, Chief Scientific Officer, remarked, “We are thrilled to participate in this scientifically rich program with resources that can drive significant advancements in our field.”

A Transformative Opportunity

CaseBioscience’s selection for the ARPA-H BoSS program is not just a milestone for the company but a validation of their scientific capabilities and technologies. Ami Mezezi, co-founder and managing director of CaseBioscience, expressed pride in their achievement and the opportunity to work alongside a distinguished group of partners.

“If we can simplify the storage and transport of cell-based therapies to the level of traditional medications, it can drastically widen the number of people who can access these essential treatments,” Mezezi stated.

As the RAB team embarks on this groundbreaking research and development journey, the future of cell therapy looks more promising than ever. With promising innovations like BoSS, the landscape for biomedical treatments is poised for a transformative shift, giving rise to increased accessibility to advanced therapies for patients around the globe.

For further updates on CaseBioscience and their participation in the pioneering BoSS initiative, visit CaseBioscience.com.