Seattle Children's Therapeutics Receives G-Rex Grant for CAR-T Advancements
On January 8, 2025, ScaleReady announced a significant achievement in the field of cell therapy. In collaboration with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing and Bio-Techne Corporation, the organization awarded a $125,000 G-Rex Grant to Seattle Children's Therapeutics. This grant is set to support the integration of advanced technologies into the CAR-T cell therapy platform utilized by Seattle Children’s, a prominent entity within the Seattle Children's Research Institute.
The G-Rex platform has been a crucial element i n Seattle Children's Therapeutics’ offerings for numerous years. With this funding, the organization aims to enhance the manufacturing capabilities of cell therapy products that have already seen success in clinical trials. Christopher Brown, who serves as the Director of GMP Manufacturing at Seattle Children’s, expressed pride in the technology's role in producing therapies for hundreds of participants involved in clinical trials.
John Wilson, the CEO of Wilson Wolf and one of the co-inventors of the G-Rex, highlighted the honor of supporting Seattle Children’s, noting that the institution comprises exceptional scientists, physicians, and engineers dedicated to providing hope to young cancer patients. The G-Rex Grant aims to simplify the manufacturing processes that are critical for developing groundbreaking therapies that could save lives.
As part of the awarded funds, Seattle Children's Therapeutics will delve into exploring a variety of fully enclosed G-Rex bioreactors. In addition, they will gain access to Bio-Techne's GMP-grade cytokines. The main goal is to optimize the manufacturing processes for future CAR-T therapies and other related trials. Additionally, they will receive early access to developments in G-Rex technology and participate in initial assessments of new devices that could streamline cell separation processes, thereby eliminating the reliance on expensive equipment.
Notably, ScaleReady's G-Rex Grant Program is a considerable initiative with a total budget of $20 million, aimed at propelling advancements in the development and manufacturing of cell and gene-modified cell therapies (CGT). Each grant can be up to $300,000, and recipients will benefit from the knowledge and resources of ScaleReady's consortium, which comprises leading experts in areas such as cGMP manufacturing and regulatory affairs.
This collaboration stands as a testament to the continuing commitment of ScaleReady, Wilson Wolf, and Bio-Techne to revolutionize cell therapy. The innovative G-Rex manufacturing platform is already utilized by over 800 organizations, contributing to approximately 50% of CGT clinical trials and aiding in the production of five approved CGT drugs. The expertise that these companies bring allows for significant reductions in time and financial expenditure, potentially accelerating the journey to commercialization for many developing therapies.
In conclusion, the awarding of the G-Rex Grant marks a notable advancement in the arena of pediatric cancer treatment. As the technologies evolve, the partnership between Seattle Children's Therapeutics, ScaleReady, Wilson Wolf, and Bio-Techne stands poised to make considerable impacts in the lives of children battling cancer, illuminating the future of cell therapies. For more detailed inquiries about the G-Rex Grant Program or its applications, interested parties are encouraged to reach out through the appropriate channels mentioned in the initial announcements.