Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces All-in-One AAV Production System for Scalable Gene Therapy Workflows and Commercial Applications

Gibco CTS AAV-MAX Helper-Free AAV Production System supports seamless transition from gene therapy research to manufacturing

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, today introduced the Gibco CTS AAV-MAX Helper-Free AAV Production System, a new all-in-one solution designed to help meet clinical and commercial demands for cost-effective and scalable development of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies. To date, it is the only product of its kind that is manufactured under cGMP conditions to enable large-scale applications.

AAV is used in 82% of viral vector-based gene therapies in the pipeline, and scaled production is critical to accelerate the transition from research to commercialization to bring gene therapies to market faster and at lower costs.¹ By delivering high titer AAV production, the system can save manufacturers up to 50% on production costs compared to alternative polyethyleneimine (PEI)-based suspension systems and help reduce plasmid DNA costs by 25%. It features a mammalian-based suspension system comprised of a clonal HEK293 cell line and animal origin-free reagents that support scalable AAV production from shake flask to bioreactor scale.

“Building on 60 years of trusted Gibco solutions, the CTS AAV-MAX System is the latest addition to our fit-for-purpose line of scalable solutions for commercial manufacturing of cell and gene therapy applications,” said Amy Butler, president, biosciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “More efficient, cost-effective AAV production is an essential step to streamline gene therapy development, helping drive innovation to serve those who need it most – patients who can benefit from these potentially life-changing therapies.”

As part of Cell Therapy Systems (CTS) solutions, the CTS AAV-MAX System is designed to work within the AAV production workflow, from cell culture and transfection through AAV viral vector production. Researchers can transition seamlessly from research on the Gibco AAV-MAX Helper Free AAV Production System to clinical scale using the CTS AAV-MAX System. Thermo Fisher’s CTS products are cGMP manufactured and include traceability and regulatory documentation, and are regularly used in commercial production to address cell and gene therapy developers’ manufacturing needs. For more information, visit www.thermofisher.com/aavmax.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

¹ “Gene-therapy innovation: Unlocking the promise of viral vectors,” McKinsey & Company (May 17, 2021). https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/gene-therapy-innovation-unlocking-the-promise-of-viral-vectors