Ori Biotech Ltd., a cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing technology provider, and Fresenius Kabi, entered a collaboration to integrate the IRO platform with Fresenius Kabi’s upstream and downstream processing technologies. Through this partnership, Ori and Fresenius Kabi demonstrated that IRO can be easily and effectively integrated with the Cue and Lovo Cell Processing Systems to deliver an efficient and closed workflow.
 
The Ori team has shown direct upstream and downstream processing integration between the IRO and the Lovo and Cue systems. For upstream processing, cells were seeded directly into the IRO consumables from the Lovo system, demonstrating a closed “Day 0” workflow and reducing dead volumes associated with existing bag-based transfers. 
 
For downstream processing, cells were harvested from the IRO bioreactor consumable directly onto the Cue system for final wash, concentration, and formulation. The successful integration of these technology platforms provides a streamlined, closed workflow for cell therapy manufacturing that can reduce process steps, tube- and bag-based transfers, and operator touch time.
 
By developing applications and closed integrations with other technologies, such as Cue and Lovo, IRO offers manufacturers a significant step toward achieving a closed, end-to-end workflow that provides optimal flexibility and scalability while maintaining product quality and consistency, according to the companies.
 
“Our goal is to partner with leading technology providers that offer proven solutions for the unit operations most critical to the success, consistency, and delivery of GMP manufacturing of cell therapies,” said Jason C. Foster, CEO, Ori Biotech. “By doing the application development work to integrate the IRO with other best-in-class systems, like Cue and Lovo, we are demonstrating our commitment to delivering flexible solutions that meet the evolving needs of cell therapy manufacturing, in contrast to rigid end-to-end approaches that reduce flexibility.”
 
“At Fresenius Kabi, we are focused on advancing technologies that improve the efficiency and scalability of cell and gene therapy manufacturing,” said Dr. Christian Hauer, President MedTech, Fresenius Kabi. “Our collaboration with Ori Biotech allows us to integrate their innovative IRO platform with our systems, supporting our partners’ goal of delivering life-saving cell and gene therapies to patients as quickly and consistently as possible.”