Ginkgo Bioworks Partners with Universal Cells, an Astellas Company, to Advance Next-Generation iPSC-Derived Cell Therapies for Solid Tumors

Core View - Ginkgo Bioworks collaborates with Universal Cells, an Astellas company, to optimize next-generation iPSC-derived cancer cell therapies, leveraging Ginkgo's high-throughput biological approaches to address challenges in solid tumor therapy development [1] - The collaboration aims to enhance the potency and persistence of iPSC-derived immune cell therapeutics by combining Universal Cells' proprietary technologies with Ginkgo's expertise in CAR library design, screening, and immune cell engineering [2] Collaboration Details - The partnership focuses on improving the scalability and manufacturability of 'off-the-shelf' iPSC-derived cell therapies, which have the potential to transform cancer care [2] - Ginkgo's platform capabilities include CAR discovery and optimization, cell survival enhancement strategies, and gene editing tools for immune cell engineering, enabling rapid exploration and refinement of therapeutic designs [3] Ginkgo's Platform Strengths - Ginkgo employs computational tools, deep expertise in library assembly, and rigorous statistical analysis to accelerate the discovery and engineering of optimal therapeutic designs [3] - The company's high-throughput pooled and arrayed screening methods allow simultaneous testing of numerous CAR designs, aiming to improve immune cell persistence and functionality [3] Strategic Impact - The collaboration represents a significant milestone for Ginkgo as it expands its cell therapy portfolio and brings its immune cell engineering capabilities to a global pharmaceutical leader [4] - The partnership aims to optimize iPSC-derived allogeneic cell therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes and reshaping the treatment of solid tumors [4] Industry Context - Ginkgo Bioworks is a leading horizontal platform for cell programming, offering end-to-end services across diverse markets, including pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, and industrial chemicals [5] - The company is also building next-generation biosecurity infrastructure and technologies to address global biological threats [5]