Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy in Cleanroom Systems: Ensuring Precision and Safety

We are all born with unique genetics that determine our physical and mental health. Inherited from our family or ancestors, genes often carry tendencies towards certain ailments and disorders. These genetic conditions can be overwhelmingly powerful, leaving individuals with little control over their health.

However, with advanced research in science and medicine, many therapies have emerged, offering hope for curing genetic diseases. Among the most promising treatments are gene and cell therapies – advanced biotechnological techniques designed to treat or prevent diseases by altering genetic material within a person’s cells.

The Role of Cleanrooms in Gene and Cell Therapy

Gene and cell therapies are highly sensitive applications that require meticulous processes and environments. Cleanrooms play a critical role in these therapies by providing a controlled, sterile environment with regulated air quality and humidity to prevent contamination by dust, microbes, and other particles. Cleanroom systems also continuously monitor environmental parameters, including particle counts, microbial levels, endotoxins, mycoplasma, proteins, and pressure differentials, ensuring consistent and reliable conditions for therapy production.

Gene Therapy in Cleanrooms

Gene therapy involves inserting genetic materials into a patient’s cells using viral vectors or other methods. This process aims to restore damaged or malfunctioning cells to effectively treat the patient.

Key functions of gene therapy cleanrooms include:

Gene Editing and Modification:

Cleanrooms are used for precise gene editing and modification using techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, TALENs, or zinc-finger nucleases. The controlled environment minimizes the risk of contamination during the gene editing process.

Vector Production:

Viral vectors (like lentiviruses, retroviruses, and adenoviruses) are produced in cleanrooms to deliver therapeutic genes into the patient’s cells. The clean environment ensures the purity and safety of these vectors.

Gene Delivery:

Preparation and storage of gene delivery systems occur in cleanrooms to ensure that the therapeutic genes reach the target cells without contamination.

Quality Control and Testing:

Cleanrooms facilitate stringent quality control and testing of the modified genes and vectors to ensure they meet regulatory standards and are safe for use in humans.

Cell Therapy in Cleanrooms

Cell therapy:

It involves injecting live, intact cells into a patient to produce a therapeutic effect. These cells can be sourced from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic) and are modified in the laboratory. Key functions of cell therapy cleanrooms include:

Cell Cultivation:

Stem cells, T cells, or other therapeutic cells are cultivated in cleanrooms. This environment prevents contamination from microorganisms and ensures the cells are viable and functional.

Cell Modification:

Cells are genetically modified or activated in cleanrooms to enhance their therapeutic potential. For example, in CAR-T cell therapy, T cells are modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting cancer cells.

Cryopreservation:

Cleanrooms facilitate the cryopreservation of modified cells to maintain their viability until they are ready for patient use.

Quality Control and Sterility Testing:

Rigorous quality control measures are implemented in cleanrooms to test the sterility, potency, and safety of the therapeutic cells. This includes microbial testing and verification of genetic modifications.

Fabtech’s Specialised Equipment for Cell and Gene Therapy Cleanrooms

ISO 5 Classification:

Cleanrooms with ISO 5 classification and Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) are vital for many cell and gene therapy processes, with positive pressure environments serving as the standard to prevent contamination.

Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs):

BSCs provide an enclosed workspace to achieve a contaminant-free environment for handling biological samples and cell cultures. These cabinets offer optimum protection to the operator and the environment by utilizing laminar airflow to filter out contaminants and fumes.

Fume Hoods:

Chemical fume hoods protect the user from hazardous chemicals. The ventilation system restricts the entry of chemical fumes and aerosols into the work area by exhausting air outside the laboratory.

Laminar Flow Hoods:

Vertical and horizontal laminar flow hoods provide product protection for workspaces of varying sizes, including sampling, general process technology, and sterile product filling.

HVAC System:

Fabtech’s HVAC systems are high-performing equipment that regulate the temperature and humidity level of the cleanroom. Proper ventilation through the HVAC system ensures high-quality air to the occupants.

HEPA Filters:

Achieving an efficiency level of 99.97%, HEPA filters for laminar air flow keep indoor air quality (IAQ) high and maintain proper ventilation and airflow. These clean air solutions also restrict the migration of airborne diseases from spreading to other places.

Incubators:

A well-established particle-control and temperature-control system, incubators create an enclosed environment for the growth and maintenance of cell and gene cultures.

Centrifuges:

Centrifuges are purification techniques responsible for isolating strains of DNA or cells from body fluids.

Aseptic Filling Line:

Fabtech offers comprehensive aseptic filling solutions encompassing, innovative and tailored fill and finish solutions, aseptic containment technologies, vial filling and capping machines, FilPac prefilled syringe machines, isolators, and more.

Pass-Through Chambers:

Fabtech’s static and dynamic pass boxes ensure the safe and efficient transfer of materials between two rooms, maintaining integrity. Both equipment are compatible with Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) cabinets, a fast decontamination process to inactivate biological substances and genetically modified organisms.

Regulatory Compliance:

Cleanrooms are designed to comply with good manufacturing practices guidelines for pharmaceuticals (GMP) guidelines, essential for the production of clinical-grade therapeutic products. Cleanrooms help ensure compliance with regulatory standards set by bodies such as the FDA and EMA, which require stringent control over the production environment of gene and cell therapies.

Storing Cell and Gene Therapies

The storage of cell and gene therapies is critical for maintaining their stability, potency, and safety. Effective storage conditions vary based on the nature of the therapies.

Cryopreservation Techniques:

Cryopreservation is a common method that utilizes liquid nitrogen to maintain ultra-low temperatures of -196°C. This approach is particularly crucial for preserving the viability of cells over extended periods. Conversely, some gene therapies remain stable at higher temperatures and can be stored in refrigeration units set between 2-8°C.

Cryoprotectants:

Cryoprotectants such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are used to protect cells from damage during the freezing and thawing processes, ensuring they retain their functionality and therapeutic potential.

Aseptic Techniques:

Maintaining sterile conditions is essential for preventing contamination that could compromise the safety and efficacy of cell and gene therapies. Aseptic techniques, including the use of sterilized equipment and adherence to strict personnel protocols, help achieve this critical level of cleanliness.

Standardized Thawing Protocols:

In addition to proper storage, developing standardized thawing protocols is vital. These protocols ensure that cells experience minimal damage during the transition from frozen storage to a usable state, preserving their viability and effectiveness.

Cleanroom systems are integral to the development and production of gene and cell therapies. They provide the necessary sterile and controlled environment to ensure the safe, efficient, and reproducible manufacture of advanced medical treatment, thereby guaranteeing treatment viability and patient safety.

Fabtech’s cleanroom infrastructure has been the cornerstone of many projects worldwide requiring precision and purity. Our innovative engineering equipment and solutions for cleanrooms serve as a lifeline to achieving efficiency and success in industries demanding critical manufacturing procedures, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices.

With advanced technologies and medicine, the future of cleanrooms is set to enhance and enforce more stringent production quality standards within the pharma and healthcare sectors. Modular cleanroom systems, adaptable to specific needs, are shaping a safer and purer world of healthcare.

Our expertise extends beyond just providing cleanrooms. We offer comprehensive support throughout the entire project lifecycle. From initial design and construction to ongoing maintenance and optimization, Fabtech ensures that our clients have the most reliable and effective cleanroom solutions.Fill out the form to help us understand your cleanroom needs.