Perspectives

The power of partnerships in cell, gene and advanced therapies

By Betty Woo
vice president, cell, gene, and advanced therapies
Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific colleagues around the world are focused on enabling breakthroughs in science every day. And our Mission, to help our customers make the world healthier, cleaner and safer, has never been more vital or urgent than it is right now.

We are living in a remarkable era for science. We wholeheartedly believe that the next decade will be transformative for human health, driven by groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.

Cell and gene therapies represent a paradigm shift in treating diseases by addressing root causes at the genetic level rather than merely managing symptoms. These therapies hold immense promise, but the journey from research to patient care is fraught with challenges, including complex manufacturing, regulatory hurdles, and significant investments. Navigating these complexities reveals a fundamental truth: no single entity can succeed alone. In fact, no matter the question, "partnership" is almost always a key part of the solution.

The role of strategic partnerships at Thermo Fisher

At Thermo Fisher, we are dedicated to building strong, enduring relationships with our customers, providing the technology, tools and expertise needed from early research to commercialization. We enable scientific discovery and translation in academic and clinical settings and support the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in developing safe and effective medicines. We play an integral part in patient diagnosis and treatment through healthcare providers and are one of the largest manufacturers of medicines globally, as well as a leader in clinical trials support for biopharma.

We stand ready as the world leader in serving science, extending from the lab bench to broad applications in the life sciences, analytical science, clinical development and manufacturing science.

Our Advanced Therapies Collaboration Centers (ATxCC) are at the core of our cell and gene therapy solutions development. These centers, including our recently opened ATxCC in Carlsbad, Calif., offer our collaborators early access to cutting-edge technologies and process optimization expertise, enabling developers to transition efficiently from academic research to clinical trials and commercial production. Feedback that we receive through our collaborative work informs new product and process development, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation that accelerates clinical and commercial progression to the ultimate endpoint, the patient. 

The Advanced Therapies Collaboration Center in Carlsbad, California The Advanced Therapies Collaboration Center in Carlsbad, Calif.

Bridging research and commercialization

Translational centers and incubators play an essential role in bridging the gap between academic research and commercial development by providing shared resources, infrastructure and expertise. These hubs lower entry barriers for emerging companies, with a range of offerings that may include lab space (research to early phase GMP manufacturing), shared equipment and instrumentation, technical support and consolidated/managed purchasing of supplies. In certain instances, access to investors, regulatory experts, or commercial partners may be offered as well.

 

Translational and clinical centers are a rich source of innovation and sit at the nexus of basic research, clinical research, and with increasing frequency, early stage clinical manufacturing. A key focus of our collaborative efforts are key opinion leaders at selected translational centers, where there may be a lower barrier to evaluating our solutions for new protocol development and in turn, a higher receptivity to partnering on process development and scaling for commercialization.


Ensuring accessibility and affordability for patients is crucial as we advance cell and gene therapies. Strategic partnerships streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve patient access to life-saving treatments. Together, we can tackle urgent global healthcare challenges and make a lasting impact on patients' lives.

 

Throughout my career, one profound truth has emerged: partnerships are the cornerstone of progress, especially in cell, gene, and advanced therapies. This is why Thermo Fisher is committed to building strong, lasting relationships because the impact of our work will extend far beyond our lifetimes. 

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