Over the past two decades, 32 cell and gene therapies (CGTs) have been approved by the regulatory authorities worldwide, and more than 2000 novel products are under clinical investigation. However, many patients do not have access to these life-saving therapies, partly due to the complexity and high cost of manufacture. But how can CGTs be made more cost-efficient given the high labour and facility costs?
Swiss-based Limula has taken a different approach and developed a modular solution that combines a bioreactor and centrifuge into one device for on-demand and at-scale manufacturing of cell therapies. In May 2024, the company raised CHF 6.2 million (US$6.8 million, €6.24 million) in seed funding to develop its automated CGT manufacturing platform, the funding round was over-subscribed highlighting the interest that venture capitalists have in this field.
