Cellino, a company developing a platform to automate stem cell production, presented today at TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 to detail how its system, which combines A.I. technology, machine learning, hardware, software and yes, lasers! could eventually democratize access to cell therapies. It aims to bring down costs associated with the manufacturing of human cells, while also increasing yields.
Founded by a team whose backgrounds include physics, stem cell biology, and machine learning, Cellino operates in the regenerative medicine industry. This space is currently undergoing a revolution, where new developments in gene and cell therapies could lead to breakthrough cures for a number of leading diseases. For example, the use of personalized human retinal cells could be transplanted to halt or reverse age-related macular degeneration, which can cause blindness. But today, such cell therapies are out of reach for most people because the process of cell production hasnt been automated or made scalable and efficient.
Instead, human cells being used now in these clinical trials are mostly being made by hand by scientists who are looking at cells and evaluating using their many years of training and expertise which cells are low quality and need to be removed. They then scrape away those unwanted cells with a pipette tip. The process, as you can imagine, is time-consuming and produces only a small yield. In this manual process, youd see a yield of about 10% to 20% of cells that would be able to pass the final quality assurance tests required for human transplant.
Cellino is working to improve this process in order to produce more cells of higher quality. Its goal is to push the yield to at least 80% over the next three years.
To do so, Cellinos system is automating all the human steps in the production process using machine learning techniques.
To identify which cells are high quality or low quality, the company is collecting large training data sets where its teaching algorithms to make determinations about cell quality based on a variety of factors. This includes the cell morphology meaning, the shape, size, and density of cells. Fluorescence-based surface markers can also be used to identify other factors of importance to the line of cells being produced, like the location of proteins on the cell, for example.
By using machine learning and AI to do the identification based on standard and well-accepted biological assays used by the FDA, the system could move away from human annotation and the variability that introduces into the process of human cell production.
After Cellinos software has identified which low-quality cells need to be removed, it then uses a laser to target them. The laser creates large enough cavitation bubbles to kill the cell, but its done in a highly localized way where youre not harming the neighboring cells, as thermal heat does not dissipate to the nearby cells. This is also a more precise technique than the manual method. (Cellinos system has a 5-micron resolution, while cells are 10-15 microns in size). This results in a throughput of about 5,000 cells per minute, which is highly efficient compared with manual techniques.
Over time, this automation and efficiency could bring the cost down from nearly a million dollars per patient, which is what clinicians have to pay today to run a clinical trial, when outsourcing cell production. Cellino aims to get the cost down into the tens of thousands of dollars over time.
By scaling cell production, personalized cell therapies could also help a broader range of patients compared with other techniques relying on banks of stem cells. These arent always genetically diverse samples, leaving smaller ethnic groups out of the progress being made in this space. Banked cells also require recipients to take immunosuppressants, as the cells arent your own and the body may reject them.
The use of lasers is an idea developed by Cellino co-founder and CEO Nabiha Saklayen, who patented an invention in cellular laser editing while at Harvard earning her Ph.D. in Physics. She was encouraged to turn the technology into a startup by her collaborators, who included had leading biologists like George Church and David Scadden.
Not all scientists become entrepreneurs, and I became an entrepreneur because I had an amazing support network around me, notes Saklayen, of the push to join the startup space. She immediately recruited Marina Madrid, an applied physicist she had worked with for years on the co-invention of laser-based intracellular delivery techniques, as her other co-founder. To gain more mentorship about growing a startup, Saklayen turned to the Boston area startup ecosystem.
I didnt know anything about startups. I wanted to work with people who knew how to build companies, how to commercialize technology, how to build instruments and the Boston ecosystem is fantastic in that way. So I started connecting with lots of people in those early weeks anybody that was in the biotech realm or Harvard Business School, Saklayen explains.
This led her to Cellino co-founder and CTO Mattias Wagner, who had built companies before in the optics and instrumentation space.
Thats how the founding team came together. It was very complimentary because Marina and I were co-inventors of the original technology that inspired the platform and Mattias brought this tremendous background in semiconductors and optical instrumentation, says Saklayen.
Since its 2017 founding, Cellino has gone on to raise $16 million in seed funding in a round co-led byThe Engine and Khosla Ventures, with participation from Humboldt Fund and 8VC.
The company is now collaborating with the NIH on compatibility studies. Currently, that means Cellino is making stem cells on its system which its then comparing with the ones made at the NIH that are already being tested in humans for personalized cell therapies for retinal diseases. Cellino later hopes to use its system to address areas like Parkisons, muscle disorders, and skin grafts, among others.
The company wanted to present at TechCrunch Disrupt to share more about what its building and to source new talent.
For me, its about talking about this idea around democratization and industrialization of cell therapies. I really want to get that message out because that is the movement we need to drive over the next decade for all of these cell therapies to be accessible to all patients, says Saklayen.
Cellinos angle is also very unique in the sense that, because we have this automated system to manufacture human cells, our system could make cells for every human being in this country, in the world, she continues. And there are a lot of cell therapy approaches that are looking to use off-the-shelf cells and off-the-shelf therapies, which will only work for certain parts of the population. As the U.S. becomes more diverse, ethnically, we need personalized solutions for everybody.
Visit link:
Cellino is using AI and machine learning to scale production of stem cell therapies - TechCrunch
- SUM Hospital conducts Odishas first stem cell transplantation - The Times of India - April 24th, 2024
- Cancer treatment: What is stem cell therapy, and how does it work? - Moneycontrol - April 24th, 2024
- The murky, unregulated world of anti-ageing stem cell therapy - The Telegraph - April 24th, 2024
- Drug Prototype Promising in Treatment of Pulmonary Disease - Medscape - April 20th, 2024
- Man Paralyzed In Surfing Accident Regains Ability to Walk After Stem Cell Treatment - The Inertia - April 20th, 2024
- Medical breakthrough: 8-year-old boy first in New York to receive FDA-approved gene therapy for rare inherited blood disorder - WABC-TV - April 20th, 2024
- Stem Cell Treatment Helped A Man Who Was Paralyzed From The Neck Down To Stand On His Own - Bored Panda - April 20th, 2024
- UM, CUHK jointly hold symposium on stem cells and regenerative medicine - gcs.gov.mo - April 20th, 2024
- Paralysed patient now able to walk as stem cell therapy shows promising results - WION - April 15th, 2024
- Andrew Steele Sees Aging as the Root of Disease - Worth - Worth Magazine - April 15th, 2024
- The astonishing effect of stem cell implants - as groundbreaking treatment 'transforms' life for those with brain damage ... - Daily Mail - April 15th, 2024
- Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells - FDA.gov - April 13th, 2024
- This Startup Wants To Be OpenAI Of Stem Cell Therapy, Targets $250B Market - Forbes - April 13th, 2024
- Brain-cell transplants are the newest experimental epilepsy treatment - MIT Technology Review - April 3rd, 2024
- Global Regenerative Medicine Market to Touch Valuation of USD 472.95 Billion by 2032, at 25.86% CAGR: Astute ... - Yahoo Finance - April 1st, 2024
- Explosive Growth Projected for Stem Cell Market, Expected to Surpass $37 Billion by 2030 As Revealed In New... - WhaTech - April 1st, 2024
- Integrating New Therapies With Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Myeloma - Targeted Oncology - April 1st, 2024
- New tool provides researchers with improved understanding of stem cell aging in the brain - Medical Xpress - March 30th, 2024
- The ISSCR announces 2024 election results - EurekAlert - March 28th, 2024
- Exosomes and Stem Cells Are the Future of Anti-Aging - NewBeauty Magazine - March 28th, 2024
- Charles River Extends Gene Therapy Alliance with NUS Medicine - Contract Pharma - March 22nd, 2024
- Exciting opportunities in stem cell technology and regenerative biology in Indian healthcare industry - Express Healthcare - March 22nd, 2024
- Charles River Announces Extension of Gene Therapy Manufacturing Alliance with NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine - Yahoo Finance - March 22nd, 2024
- Opinion: The revolutionary sickle cell therapies - MSN - March 22nd, 2024
- 10 Years of Kansas Regenerative Medicine Center - KSAL - March 22nd, 2024
- BioCardia and StemCardia Announce Biotherapeutic Delivery Partnership - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology - March 17th, 2024
- Cynata Therapeutics' breakthrough in regenerative medicine - Finance News Network - March 17th, 2024
- New Positive Data Presented on Briquilimab Conditioning in Patients with Fanconi Anemia - GlobeNewswire - March 17th, 2024
- Novel 3D stem cell therapy to treat critical limb ischaemia - Drug Target Review - March 15th, 2024
- Breaking Boundaries: Pharmicell's Bold Vision for Healthcare Transformation and Monumental Growth - The Worldfolio - March 15th, 2024
- CuSTOM Organoid Research Evolving From Tool to Treatment - Research Horizons - Research Horizons - March 15th, 2024
- BioCardia and StemCardia Announce Partnership to Deliver Cell-Gene Therapy for Remuscularization of Heart - Cath Lab Digest - March 15th, 2024
- Calidi Biotherapeutics and City of Hope Announce Funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine ... - Business Wire - March 13th, 2024
- Iron restriction keeps blood stem cells young, researchers find - Phys.org - March 13th, 2024
- Vitamin A could have a key role in both stem cell biology and wound healing: Study - Medical Dialogues - March 9th, 2024
- Trends in Stem Cell Transplantation Refusal for Myeloma Treatment - Targeted Oncology - March 7th, 2024
- Stem Cell Therapy Market (CAGR) of 31.1%, Future of Market Size Emerging Technologies and their Impact on ... - Taiwan News - March 7th, 2024
- This Swedish startup wants to reduce the cost, and controversy, around stem cell production - TechCrunch - March 6th, 2024
- Advancing stem cell therapy: The regulatory process to get to clinical trials - The Economic Times - March 6th, 2024
- Transitioning from traditional surgical methods to the innovative use of stem cells - pharmaphorum - March 6th, 2024
- 'Mini organs' are grown from human stem cells taken during the late stages of pregnancy for the first time - m - Daily Mail - March 6th, 2024
- Stem cell transplant cures man of HIV and leukemia, one of five to achieve full remission - Fox 28 - March 3rd, 2024
- Stem Cell Therapy Market to Boost USD 137.5 Billion by 2034 and Projected to grow at 32.10% CAGR with increasing ... - Yahoo Finance - March 1st, 2024
- Studies expand use of stem cell therapies - WPLG Local 10 - March 1st, 2024
- Innovative therapy targets and destroys leukemia stem cells - News-Medical.Net - February 27th, 2024
- Unlocking the Potential of Stem Cells: The Medical Revolution of the Century - EIN News - February 27th, 2024
- Pelage Pharmaceuticals Announces $16.75M Series A Financing led by GV to Revolutionize Regenerative Medicine ... - Yahoo Finance - February 27th, 2024
- Say Her Name - Henrietta Lacks, The Real Mother Of Stem - Her Campus - February 27th, 2024
- California Man Free of HIV And Cancer in Astonishing Medical Recovery - ScienceAlert - February 25th, 2024
- $93 million for research into improved health for children, young people and the aged, medical devices, mental health ... - Department of Health - February 25th, 2024
- Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine - PMC - National Center for ... - February 24th, 2024
- The Promise and Reality of Stem Cell Therapy: What You Need to Know - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Stem Cell Therapy: A Beacon of Hope for Patients with Untreatable Conditions - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Leading Experts in Stem Cell Therapy: A Global Overview - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Can Stem Cells Help Reverse the Effects of Aging? - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Stem Cell Therapy for Cancer: Hope on the Horizon? - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Stem Cells and Autism: A Closer Look at Innovative Treatments - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Regrowth and Restoration: The Science Behind Stem Cell Therapy for Hair - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Brain Recovery: The Role of Stem Cells in Stroke and Cerebral Palsy Treatments - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Turning Back the Clock: The Science of Stem Cells in Anti-Aging - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Insights into cellular therapies for cancer treatment - Drug Target Review - February 22nd, 2024
- The Role of Stem Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Recovery - Corporate Wellness Magazine - February 22nd, 2024
- Dr Ernesto Romeros vision transforms immunotherapy regenerative medicine into a global leader in stem cell treatment - Khaleej Times - February 22nd, 2024
- World-Renowned Doctors Leading the Way in Stem Cell Research and Treatment - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Choosing the Best: A Guide to America's Premier Stem Cell Therapy Providers - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Navigating Through the Possibilities of Stem Cell Treatment for Eye Disorders - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Global Leaders in Stem Cell Therapy: Where Excellence Meets Innovation - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Excellence in Stem Cell Treatment: How the US is Pioneering Global Healthcare Solutions - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Clarifying Memory Loss Treatments: The Role of Stem Cells - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Battling Inflammation: Stem Cell Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Digestive Health and Stem Cells: Treating Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Top Stem Cell Clinics in the USA: Pioneering Treatments for Chronic Conditions - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Stem Cells and Autism: Understanding the Potential for Innovative Treatments - Medical Tourism Magazine - February 20th, 2024
- Stopping the awakening of sleeping Acute Myeloid Leukaemia stem cells to prevent disease relapse - University of Birmingham - February 20th, 2024
- City of Hope Achieves Ground Breaking Treatment for Blood Cancer and HIV - Medriva - February 18th, 2024
- Regenerative Medicine Market Size to Worth USD 95 Billion by 2032 - InvestorsObserver - February 18th, 2024
- North America Organoids Market Projected to Reach US$ 5.35 Billion by 2030, Riding on a CAGR of 21.5% - GlobeNewswire - February 18th, 2024
- Chinese team tests lung treatment that may be first to reverse COPD damage - South China Morning Post - February 15th, 2024
- Why leukemic stem cells not harmed by chemotherapy begin to grow and produce AML cells after treatment - Medical Xpress - February 15th, 2024
- Regenerative Medicine Market is Expected to Reach $49.0 Billion | MarketsandMarkets - Yahoo Finance - February 15th, 2024
Recent Comments