Thermo Fisher Scientific and UCSF open cell therapy manufacturing facility

In collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, UCSF has opened a new manufacturing site aimed at accelerating advanced cell and gene therapies for cancer, rare diseases, and other illnesses.

First announced in 2021, the partnership between Thermo Fisher and UCSF will enable scientists, clinicians, and patients closer access to a manufacturing site, and potentially demonstrate how the development of breakthrough treatments may be expedited with increased access to state-of-the-art facilities. The initial focus of the site will be the development of treatments for glioblastomas, multiple myeloma, and other forms of cancer utilising updated approaches on CAR T and CRISPR technologies.  

Executive VP and COO of Thermo Fisher Michel Lagarde stated: “Cell therapies represent a rapidly emerging field of biotechnology with tremendous promise for future therapeutic applications. With a record number of cell therapy approvals granted in the last 2 years, and CAR-T therapies becoming earlier treatment options, we’re in a golden age of biology where new technologies and partnerships are evolving and transforming clinical care.” 

As part of Thermo Fisher’s global network of pharmaceutical and therapeutic services, including over 15 locations servicing cell and gene therapies, the facility will offer the UCSF community and other customers process and analytical capabilities, and clinical and commercial manufacturing services for advanced cell and gene therapies. Drug development, discovery, and commercialisation will also be accessible for those looking to benefit from Thermo Fisher’s therapeutic development capabilities with this San Francisco facility. 

UCSF Chancellor, Sam Hawgood, commented on the site establishment: “UCSF is one of the top clinical sites for CAR-T treatment, and our scientists are leading the next generation of CAR-T therapy development. These approaches will be tested soon in patients with solid tumours like glioblastoma and later in other diseases, including autoimmunity.” 

Source: Thermo Fisher Scientific Opens Cell Therapy Facility at University of California, San Francisco, to Accelerate Development of Breakthrough Therapies [Accessed March 27 2023] https://newsroom.thermofisher.com/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/Thermo-Fisher-Scientific-Opens-Cell-Therapy-Facility-at-University-of-California-San-Francisco-to-Accelerate-Development-of-Breakthrough-Therapies/default.aspx