Biopreservation techniques are well-known to maintain the functionality and integrity of regenerative medicines, that come handy in the biopharmaceutical industry for study of different disease treatments.
It should be noted that the growing prevalence of chronic diseases would accelerate the biopreservation market demand to a large extent in the coming years. The approach is designated for the preservation of tissues, cells, and organs ex-vivo for the purpose of shipment, storage, and transportation.
The biopreservation market was recently in the news amidst the creation of cloned mice. In July 2022, researchers from the University of Yamanashi, Japan, developed cloned mice from freeze dried skin cells. This would help conservationists revive populations of endangered species. The breakthrough makes way for countries to store skin cells from animals, as these can be used to create clones that boost the species’ genetic diversity in case they are threatened with extinction in the near future.
The trend of biopreservation is here to stay for an indefinite period, impelled by a plethora of factors, developments, technological advancements, and hefty investments by companies.
1. Surging interest toward biopreservation media
In order to achieve successful biopreservation, biopreservation media has emerged out to be of paramount importance. The product is crucial for clearing regulatory hurdles and facilitating commercialisation while potentially speeding up the functional return and enhancing cell recovery post-preservation that is critical for cellular therapy clinical success.
Biopreservation media is also recommended to contain antioxidants that can reduce the impact of damaging free radicals generated by the mitochondria, as well as energetic precursors to accelerate ATP generation.
The standardisation of biopreservation media can also increase the effectiveness of regenerative medicine via clinical development and offer a more effective roadmap for optimising methods for each cell product.
2. Expanding role of biopreservation in cell and gene therapy
Gene and cell therapies present a novel therapeutic modality that bears the potential to offer a treatment option for a range of medical conditions. However, a persistent challenge associated with the production of these therapies is ensuring cell quality and that the product’s vital quality attributes are retained throughout the entire bioprocess.
In this regard, biopreservation has emerged as a viable aspect of cell and gene therapy bioprocessing, which enables the development of cell banks. The methodology enhances process flexibility by providing a longer shelf-life to product, offers breakpoints within the process, and storage of intermediates.
Developments and investments in cell and gene therapy bioprocessing via biopreservation technology is growing at an unprecedented pace. Recently, X-Therma announced closing $13 million Series A funding round for its biopreservation technology platform. The solution is transforming global accessibility to transplantation as well as enabling gene and cell therapy products by providing effective and safe cryopreservation that is protein- and serum-free.
3. Strategic business plans to remain important growth strategy for industry leaders
Biopreservation technology companies and suppliers like Thermo Fisher, Arctiko A/S, Biolife Solutions, Merck KGaA, PHC Holdings Corporation, and Azenta, are stepping up their games to carve a niche in the marketplace with diverse strategic efforts like product developments, acquisition and partnerships, and facility expansion.