NC State and Novartis Partner to Innovate Gene and Cell Therapy Manufacturing

NC State University and Novartis Gene Therapies have launched a groundbreaking partnership to enhance the manufacturing of gene and cell therapies, focusing on Lentivirus—a vital gene delivery vector used in treating aggressive cancers. This collaboration not only advances critical research but also supports the Ph.D. journey of an incoming graduate student.

NC State University and Novartis Gene Therapies have finalized a pioneering partnership to revolutionize the manufacturing processes for gene and cell therapies. This initiative centers on Lentivirus, a crucial gene delivery vector increasingly utilized in engineering therapeutic cells to combat aggressive forms of cancer.

“This collaboration symbolizes the synergism between basic science, tech transfer and process innovation to improve the quality and accessibility of life-saving drugs,” commented Kultaran Chohan, associate vice chancellor for research commercialization.

The project will be led by principal investigators Michael Daniele from the Departments of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Stefano Menegatti from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE). They will work alongside Tarl Vetter, associate director of gene therapy processing at Novartis, who will oversee downstream Lentivirus processing.

“We are excited to start this project! Lentivirus is a difficult product to make and one for which an improved manufacturing pipeline is greatly needed,” said Menegatti.

This project is a significant addition to the NC-VVIRAL pipeline, an academic-industrial initiative to innovate viral vector manufacturing. “The regional connection between two innovation powerhouses such as Novartis and NC-VVIRAL is the way of the future for bioprocessing and workforce training,” said Vetter.

A critical component of this project will be the Lentivirus purification adsorbent developed by NC-VVIRAL, with sponsorship from Merck Life Science KGaA and Ligatrap Technologies. “We are proud to see our investments in technology innovation move the needle in modern bioprocessing,” said Oliver Rammo, director of novel modalities R&D at Merck. Crapanzano, Ligatrap CEO and pediatric cardiologist, added, “It is our duty to the patients to accelerate the transition of this technology to the market.”

Daniele expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We look forward to this project. It is very exciting to bring so many great people and technologies together on this endeavor.”

This partnership represents a significant achievement for the Department of Biomedical Engineering by fully supporting the Ph.D. journey of Taylor Pleines, an incoming graduate student.

Furthermore, it exemplifies NC State’s “Think and Do” philosophy, showcasing how innovative partnerships can propel scientific research and education forward.

About NC-VVIRAL: The North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL) is a collaborative effort between academia and industry designed to advance the manufacturing and application of viral vectors. These vectors are essential tools in gene therapy, enabling the delivery of genetic material into cells to treat various diseases.

Michael Daniele, co-director of NC-VVIRAL, plays a key role in driving the initiative’s mission. NC-VVIRAL focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies and training the next generation of bioprocessing professionals, fostering innovation and enhancing the effectiveness of viral vector production.

For more information, visit NC-VVIRAL.