#USA #G-Rex Grant #St. Paul #A2 Biotherapeutics #CellReady

ScaleReady Awards G-Rex Grant to A2 Biotherapeutics

ScaleReady, in collaboration with Wilson Wolf, Bio-Techne Corporation, and CellReady, recently announced a significant grant of $300,000 awarded to A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc.. This funding is part of the G-Rex Grant Program aimed at accelerating process development and qualification of a G-Rex-based production system, specifically to support A2’s evaluations in the manufacturing of cell therapies.

Understanding the G-Rex Grant

The G-Rex Grant is formulated to aid early-stage companies in the cell and gene-modified cell therapy (CGT) sector, offering critical resources for process development and comparability studies. According to Dr. Agi Hamburger, Chief Operating Officer at A2 Biotherapeutics, the simplicity and scalability of the G-Rex platform make it a vital component in their clinical development programs.

Furthermore, Dr. Hamburger emphasized the importance of the G-Rex Grant in enabling their team to push the boundaries in manufacturing capabilities for CAR-T therapies, which are instrumental in targeting various cancers.

The Role of G-Rex Technology

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Wolf, provided insights into the G-Rex platform's modular and flexible closed approach, contrasting it with traditional 'all-in-one' bioreactor methods. This innovative technology is poised to set the foundation for lean manufacturing, ensuring that patient demands are adequately met by generating drug product supply in a timely and efficient manner.

A2 Biotherapeutics is set to assess the G-CART process, a systematic approach for structuring CAR-T drug products, which is currently under development at CellReady—the first and only G-Rex centric contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in the world. The G-CART process emphasizes high-throughput manufacturing adaptable to various models, including centralized production and point-of-care systems.

Streamlined Drug Production

The integration of novel sub-assemblies in the G-CART process aims to optimize the flow of drug substances through the manufacturing line. As part of this effort, A2 will utilize cutting-edge GMP ProPak cytokines developed by Bio-Techne. These cytokines are specially formulated and packaged for specialized use with the G-Rex devices, positioning A2 at the forefront of CAR-T cell therapy production.

A2's CAR-T Pipeline

At the core of A2 Biotherapeutics' innovative approach is their proprietary Tmod™ platform. This technology serves as a dual-signal integrator system that enhances precision in targeting cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The platform is designed to exploit tumor loss of heterozygosity, allowing A2 to distinguish between normal and cancerous cells effectively. A2's ongoing clinical pipeline focuses on CAR-T therapies aiming at various solid tumors, including those affecting the colorectal, lung, pancreatic, and ovarian areas.

The Future of the G-Rex Grant Program

As the G-Rex Grant Program evolves, it continues to enhance CGT development and manufacturing, with nearly 200 grants awarded and significant interest from new applicants. ScaleReady has committed additional funding, ensuring that even more companies can explore novel manufacturing pathways. Recipients of the G-Rex Grant not only benefit from financial support but also gain access to a wealth of resources offered by the growing consortium of G-Rex Grant Partners, which include expertise in cGMP manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and CGT operations.

For businesses and investors looking to venture into the realm of CGT, the G-Rex Grant Program represents a unique opportunity to partner with leaders in the field—facilitating a joint effort to push the boundaries of cancer treatment and manufacturing efficiency.

For more details about the G-Rex Grant Program or to inquire about application processes, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to ScaleReady directly at [email protected]