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CaseBioscience® Joins Forces to Revolutionize Cell Therapy Preservation

In a significant advancement for biotechnology, CaseBioscience® has announced its collaboration with a multidisciplinary team led by Likarda to develop innovative preservation solutions for cell therapies. This initiative is backed by a grant of up to $7.3 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), specifically under its BioStabilization Systems (BoSS) program, which aims to enhance the storage and transport of cellular therapies at room temperature without refrigeration.

The Vision Behind BoSS

The primary goal of the BoSS program is to enable the creation, storage, and transportation of living cells at ambient temperatures, making the logistics of cell-based therapies as straightforward as that of conventional medications, like aspirins. The RAB (Reversible Biostabilization in Ambient) team, chosen for this project, includes experts from diverse fields such as preservation science, cell biology, metabolic research, bioengineering, immunology, and stem cell biology. This collaboration represents one of only three selected projects under the BoSS initiative.

Key Features of the BoSS Program:

• - Financial Support: Up to $7.3 million awarded.
• - Collaborative Team Members: CaseBioscience, Draper, CPSI Biotech, Fresenius Kabi, Likarda, MiNK Therapeutics, and Spencer Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder.
• - Objectives: To reduce reliance on refrigerated logistics for transporting and storing live cell therapies by developing new protective strategies and bioengineering approaches.
• - Timeline: The initial phase commenced on September 24, 2026, and will span 15 months.

Addressing Logistical Challenges in Cell Therapy

Cell therapies have shown incredible promise in treating severe diseases, including cancer, yet their accessibility is often hindered by complex and costly cold chain logistics. Many cell-based products necessitate specific preservation conditions to maintain their viability and functionality during transport and storage. Technologies capable of stabilizing therapeutic cells at room temperature could drastically streamline distribution, reducing logistical hurdles and broadening patient access to these advanced medicinal treatments.

"The concept of preserving living cells in a dried state has been explored for over two decades, but significant scientific and technical challenges have resulted in limited success to date," stated Dr. John Baust, a prominent expert in biopreservation and a collaborator with CPSI Biotech. "The ARPA-H BoSS program provides a unique opportunity to tackle this issue from multiple scientific and technical perspectives. If successful, this work could represent a pivotal shift in the approach to preservation, storage, and distribution of biological products."

A Return to Roots

This new initiative connects with extensive past research conducted by CaseBioscience's scientific team. Dr. Lynda McGinnis, the Director of Research and Development at CaseBioscience, was involved in pioneering research into the dried storage of sperm over twenty years ago. "It’s exciting to revisit research that some of us began in Boston 25 years ago. It’s time for a revolutionary approach to storing and transporting cells for clinical therapies and even reproductive medicine," she remarked.

CaseBioscience’s Contribution

As part of the BoSS program, CaseBioscience will leverage its expertise in developing clinical culture media, biopreservation, and cellular metabolism to create and evaluate new methods for the long-term stabilization of therapeutic cells at room temperature. Dr. Kevin Flynn, the Scientific Director of CaseBioscience, expresses enthusiasm for the chance to engage in such a scientifically intensive program, calling it a significant opportunity to merge capabilities in a collaborative effort that could unlock previously unattainable advancements.

Recognition and Future Prospects

Ami Mezezi, Co-Founder and CEO of CaseBioscience, emphasized the honor of being selected for the BoSS program by ARPA-H, stating, "This recognition validates our science, our preservation technologies, and the talented team behind them. If live cell therapies can be stored and transported as easily as conventional drugs, the reach of these treatments could exponentially increase, vastly improving patient access."

The initial phase of the BoSS program is now fully underway, with the RAB team commencing their collaborative research and development activities. As the program progresses, it may redefine how cell-based therapies are preserved and distributed, marking a substantial leap forward for biomedical innovation.

About CaseBioscience®

CaseBioscience is a life sciences company focused on developing and manufacturing advanced media and preservation solutions for cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and assisted reproduction technologies. Through its blend of expertise in cell biology, metabolic science, formulation science, and biopreservation, CaseBioscience creates solutions that support the health, consistency, and performance of cells from research to clinical application, operating within an ISO 13485:2016 certified quality system and an FDA-registered manufacturing facility in Colorado. The company also collaborates with biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms to develop and manufacture specialized media and preservation solutions. For further details, visit CaseBioscience.com.