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Cell-based therapies are gearing up to have an extensive impact on the healthcare field in the coming years. They show great
promise in the treatment of diseases ranging from various types of cancer to chronic conditions such as heart disease and
diabetes. The overall market for regenerative medicine has been predicted to reach as much as $20 billion by 2025, according
to research from Scientia Advisors, and if this growth is to come about, there must be reliable, efficient methods for scaling
up the production of the stem cells that are used in many of these therapies (1).
In initial phases of development, the focus is on finding a way to obtain the desired cells, with cost being less of a driver.
However, on a larger scale, cost becomes a significant issue, and creates the need for alternative manufacturing technology
to be implemented. It is also important that emphasis remains on the safety and reproducibility of the process, as well as
adherence to GMP standards.
When growing adherent stem cells, a surface must be provided. In the laboratory, this is relatively simple, and there are
several systems available. Flasks and multiplate stacks allow adherent stem cells to grow successfully on a two-dimensional
(2D) surface. However, problems appear when the product moves into the later stages of clinical trials and larger numbers
of cells are required. It must be noted that there is a difference between the processes for autologous and allogeneic therapies.
For an autologous therapy—one based on the patient's own stem cells—the batches remain the same size, but many more batches
are required, so scale-out is needed. However, for an allogeneic therapy, where all patients receive the same cells, the batches
become much larger, and the process must be scaled up, so a much larger surface area is required.
