Project description
Next generation bioreactor for stem and immune cell manufacturing processes
Stem and immune cell therapies are revolutionising treatments for diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. However, scaling the production of the sensitive cells needed for these therapies (such as iPSCs and NK cells) remains a challenge. Current manufacturing processes particularly struggle with the cells’ sensitivity to high shear forces limiting scale-up. Existing bioreactor technologies are ill-suited for these delicate cells. BioThrust’s ComfyCell bioreactor simulates the cells' natural environment, enabling the intensified large-scale production that the market urgently needs. The EIC-funded ComfyCell project will validate the scalability and performance of BioThrust’s ComfyCell bioreactor through pilot programmes at an industrial scale, thereby encouraging early adopters with cost-saving opportunities and valuable case studies.
Objective
Stem and immune cell therapies are transforming modern medicine, offering new treatments for conditions like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Leveraging cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), Natural Killer (NK) cells, and T-cells, these therapies hold the potential to address diseases affecting hundreds of millions worldwide. However, the inability to scale the production of these cells presents a major bottleneck in making these life-saving treatments accessible. Stem and immune cells are highly sensitive, struggling with conventional manufacturing processes due to their intolerance to high shear forces, nutrient supply fluctuations, and shifts in oxygen and pH levels.
Despite the significant medical advancements, no scalable solution currently exists for industrial production of these cells. iPSC, NK cell, and T-cell cultivation is typically limited to small volumes (2L), and existing techniques rely on outdated bioreactor technologies initially designed for more robust cells. Approaches like conventional stirred tank reactors (STRs), wave bags, and vertical wheel bioreactors introduce high shear forces or require labour-intensive reconfiguration, making them inadequate for industrial stem and immune cell manufacturing.
BioThrust’s ComfyCell bioreactor is designed to address this challenge, offering a revolutionary solution for cultivating sensitive stem and immune cells at industrial scales. As the first bioreactor to simulate the natural environment of these delicate cells, ComfyCell enables more efficient, high-yield production which is urgently desired by the market. By securing EIC Accelerator funding, BioThrust will be able to validate ComfyCell’s scalability and performance through pilot programs in industrial scales, incentivizing early adopters with cost-saving opportunities and valuable case studies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology bioremediation bioreactors
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-02
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
52074 Aachen
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.