Gyros Protein Technologies AB, a provider of automated nanoliter-scale immunoassays and peptide synthesizers and reagents, said Oxford BioMedica, a gene and cell therapy group, has invested in two Gyrolab xPlore systems. This is the first time the Gyrolab technology has been applied within the gene and cell therapy area.

Gene and cell therapy has the potential to transform medicine, providing long-term, and potentially curative, treatment options for a wide range of diseases. Several highly promising cell and gene therapies have been launched recently, including GSK’s Strimvelis and Novartis’ Kymriah. Oxford BioMedica’s LentiVector enabled platform has been used to create a portfolio of gene and cell therapy product candidates in the areas of oncology, ophthalmology and CNS disorders. The company has strong partnerships with Novartis, Bioverativ, Orchard Therapeutics and Immune Design, and has licensed product rights to Sanofi and patent licenses to GSK.

Relative to the pipeline of monoclonal antibody therapies, gene and cell therapy programs are in an earlier stage of development with over 75% in discovery or pre-clinical stages. Gyrolab xPlore offers the ability to develop immunoassays more quickly and increase data quality with reduced hands-on time, reliably and precisely in every phase of biotherapeutic product development, according to the company.

Gyros Protein Technologies will also work with Oxford BioMedica to assist in the development of key assays for the company.

“The majority of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies and CROs now use Gyrolab technology in discovery, pre-clinical and clinical development, and bioprocess of monoclonal antibody therapies,” said Dan Calvo, chief executive officer, Gyros Protein Technologies. “We are delighted that this is now extended to the exciting field of gene and cell therapies. We look forward to supporting Oxford BioMedica in furthering the impact of its LentiVector enabled platform.”

John Dawson, chief executive officer, Oxford BioMedica, said, “Oxford BioMedica is recognized as a world leader in the field of development and manufacturing of lentiviral vectors, with the goal to develop and commercialize breakthrough gene- and cell-based medicines that improve the lives of patients. Working with industry-leading technology, such as the Gyrolab xPlore, is essential as we work toward achieving these goals.”