Optimized Cell Culture Medium For Scalable Viral Vector Production

By Henry George, Head of Viral Vector Producing Cell Lines, and Daniel Teasley, Senior Product Manager, MilliporeSigma

Since the first FDA approval of a gene therapy product in 2017 (Kymriah®),¹ the industry has continued to tap into the potential of cell and gene therapies (CGTs), resulting in a deepening pipeline ripe with opportunity. Viral vectors facilitate delivery of genomic material into cells, offering a wide range of advantages over non-viral gene delivery, such as low immunogenicity and high in vivo expression levels. The most used viral vectors, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus, are traditionally produced in adherent cell culture using generic, unoptimized media supplemented with fetal bovine serum. Among other challenges, this can limit cell growth and overall viral vector productivity and introduce potential contaminants into the manufacturing process.

To meet the ever-increasing demand for CGTs, the industry must shift away from this inefficient and risky approach and adopt fit-for-purpose tools that enhance upstream operations. Our new cell culture medium offers an improved alternative to classical formulations that can help address the constraints in viral vector manufacturing and scale-up by breaking through the performance ceiling threatening the future of this exciting field of medicine.