The technology – called the BalanCD HEK293 system – comprises a chemically defined media that supports the growth of human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells, which can be used for the production of proteins and gene therapy vectors.
The media is designed to be used to support growth of the cell lines before and after transfection – in other systems media but be changed after genetic material has been inserted – which Irvine claims offers time and efficiency advantages.
The system also provides a feed that supports high density growth and what Irvine calls an anti-clumping supplement that overcomes HEK293 natural tendency to aggregate.
Company chief scientific officer Jessie Ni citied growing pharmaceutical interest in the development of gene therapies as the driver for development.
“Gene therapy is at the forefront of new medical therapies, but the ability to reliably produce viral vectors at industrial scale has been a challenge” Ni said, adding that the BalanCD HEK293 system is intended to help manufacturers achieve higher yields.
Irvine has been expanding its range of media and technologies in recent years in line with developments in biopharmaceutical research.
Last January for example, the California, US headquartered firm launched a medium optimized for T-cell, citing growing biopharmaceutical industry interest in CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor transduced T) cells.
Irvine is owned by Japan Energy Corporation, a subsidiary of Nippon Mining Holdings.