Public Funding for Stembond Technologies Ltd

StemBond Technologies is harnessing the power of advanced materials science to ignite a cell therapy revolution. We specialise in preserving the vitality and functionality of cells cultured outside the body, addressing pivotal challenges in the manufacturing of cell and gene therapies. Our mission is to empower the development of cell therapies, enhance the quality of cell therapy products, and innovate superior cell culture platforms. Our core offering lies in delivering state-of-the-art cell culture platforms that ensure the optimal performance of cells, a critical need in the field of regenerative medicine where traditional cell culture methods fall short in sustaining high-quality cells. Our breakthrough solutions pave the way for more effective, accessible, and cost-efficient cell therapies by ensuring the delivery of cells that function at their best. Through this project, we will advance and validate the StemBond T cell activation solution through rigorous in-house research and development, complemented by evaluations from external partners and collaborators. This phase will culminate in the creation of a functional prototype poised for small-scale production. Integral to our project is the pursuit of critical regulatory approvals for the raw materials used in cell and gene therapies (CGTs), achieved by implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) and securing ISO certifications. Our project is a testament to our commitment to bolstering the UK's health and life sciences sectors by enhancing the manufacturing processes of cutting-edge T cell therapies and beyond. We are strategically positioned to tackle healthcare challenges with agility and precision, accelerating the development and deployment of ancillary materials, especially in the realm of immuno-oncology. The fruition of this project will see the emergence of a functional prototype ready for small-scale manufacturing and the acquisition of crucial regulatory approvals for CGT raw materials. These milestones are key to elevating the quality of cell therapy products, thereby revolutionising the effectiveness, affordability, and reach of cell therapies across the globe.

Why are cells not regularly used as medicine? If our cells repair us, keep us safe from pathogens and form our immune system, why do we not grow more in laboratories to help our bodies when needed? This is the basis of cell-based medicine: using cells to produce therapeutic products or to be transplanted into patients as therapy. One of the main applications of cell therapy today is cancer treatment. In this, the 'T cells' responsible for destroying cancers are transplanted to patients who need them. The concept is simple, but the execution is exceptionally difficult. The difficulty is keeping T cells 'happy' when taken from a patient or donor. As soon as cells leave the body, they begin to change, stop functioning as they should, and eventually, die. Biologists have typically used complex chemical environments to force cells to function and multiply in laboratory cultures. We now know, however, that the chemical environment is only half of the picture; cells must 'feel' that their mechanical environment is right for them. If we are to control the activation of T cells to multiply, their laboratory environment must have the same mechanical properties (such as stiffness) as naturally in a body. T cell activation and expansion are significant barriers to the cost-effective scaling of cell therapies, despite becoming a gold standard for many diseases, including cancer and arthritis. Cost-effective scaling and improved function of cell therapies can only be achieved through advanced engineering biology approaches. StemBond Technologies uses advanced material science to make cell culture environments that support optimal cell function. By controlling the mechanical environment of culture to optimise cell function, we will overcome the most significant obstacle to effective cell therapies. We will develop stiffness-modulatory microspheres to control T cell activation, increasing expansion yield, reducing cell exhaustion, and improving targeting. With this advancement, we will be one step closer to the routine use of cells as medicine.