First pilot line for the production of cell and gene therapies

The first pilot line of the Happy Cell Factory has been successfully constructed. This new platform from Harro Höfliger and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (Fraunhofer IPT) makes the production of cell and gene therapies both automatable and scalable.

The pilot line features nine so-called ‘hotel rooms’. These are specialized modules in which cell cultures can grow under ideal conditions. Each hotel room is dedicated to its own cell culture, allowing multiple batches to be processed in parallel. Key parameters such as temperature, pH and CO₂ values, as well as dissolved oxygen, are continuously monitored and automatically logged to ensure that the cells multiply under ideal, controlled conditions. At the same time, a special rocking system ensures they remain in gentle motion during the growth process. A perfusion system automatically replaces used cell culture media with fresh nutrients.

The pilot line processes one cell therapy per day. Future models are to be scalable, ranging from compact tabletop versions to high-speed systems, and capable of processing up to 25 batches per day.

Fraunhofer IPT and Harro Höfliger have been engaged in a strategic partnership since 2023. The unique combination of scientific expertise and GMP-compliant mechanical engineering aims to jointly advance the production of cell and gene therapies. Customers receive an end-to-end solution that covers the entire process from the initial concept to the ongoing maintenance of custom-built machines – always with a focus on fully automating previously manual processes.