CellulaREvolution: Bringing Continuous Processing to Cell Manufacture

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"There are a number of well-established and emerging commercial markets exploiting scientific advances in growing living cells to 'manufacture' new products, including pharmaceutical drugs, stem cells, gene therapies and cell-based meat. Companies working on these developments are addressing some of the major challenges facing the world over the coming decades, such as global hunger, global warming and pandemic threats.Many of these applications rely on the use of adherent cells (cells requiring a solid surface on which to grow, such as the bottom of a culture flask). The standard approach to growing adherent cells has not changed in 50 years; cells are grown in batches, the size of each batch limited by the surface area upon which the cells are attached (_e.g_. flask size). Critically, traditional batch bioprocessing techniques for the culture of adherent cells cannot meet current demands (typical lot sizes are 10e^10 cells but needs in some markets are more in the range of 10e^30) and is therefore a significant bottleneck to the future commercial potential of companies that produce or use adherent cells.A radical departure from traditional engineering solutions is required, _i.e_. an alternative to simply increasing surface area by using microcarriers, hollow fibres or multi-layered flasks, as these approaches can never practically meet the growing demand. At CellulaREvolution we aim at establishing a revolutionary method to culture adherent cells in serum-free medium. Our novel approach is to move from the traditional batch culture (with its overly complicated ways to increase surface area) to a simple continuous culture system where cells are produced unremittingly. Our innovation facilitates such an approach for the first time.In light of this, the current proposal will enable the setting up of CellulaREvolution as a business via the appointment of a CEO, hiring qualified team members, renting lab/office space, paying for consultancy, legal costs and further market research. Accelerating the company development at this stage, will help CellulaREvolution to attract private investors to financially support initial development and sales of its products."