Likarda, CCT announce deal for cell therapy material transportation
Partnership to combine Likarda’s hydrogel technology with CCT’s expertise in cold chain products and digital solutions
Likarda, a leading biotech company specialising in the development of enabling technologies for the delivery of both cell therapies and large molecule biologics and Cold Chain Technologies (CCT), a global provider of thermal packaging solutions for the transportation of temperature-sensitive products for the life sciences industry, announced a licensing agreement to improve the logistics needed for cell therapy manufacturing.
The partnership will combine Likarda’s patented hydrogel technology with CCT’s expertise in advanced cold chain products and digital solutions to enhance the transportation and storage of biological materials and therapies, says a release from Likarda.
Utilising Likarda’s proprietary core-shell spherification (CSS) technology will enable CCT to package these cells and other biological materials on dry ice, avoiding the need to transport them at extremely low temperatures, typically in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), the release added. "Maintaining -196°C is logistically challenging due to the risk of mechanical damage from ice crystals and the need for specialised handling and equipment, driving up costs and limiting patient access to cell therapy to only those sites with the necessary facilities. Likarda’s proprietary CSS hydrogels form crosslinked polymer matrices that protect encapsulated cells and other biological materials during transportation."
Key benefits include:
*ice crystal prevention: the CSS matrices prevent ice crystal formation, which can damage cells during freezing mechanical protection. CSS hydrogels shield biological materials from adverse mechanical stresses during handling and transportation
*versatile applications: suitable for a wide range of temperatures from cold chain conditions (2°C to 8°C) to dry ice storage (-20°C to -80°C) and even lower temperatures; and
*enhanced stability: combining Likarda’s hydrogels with CCT’s packaging solutions ensures biological materials remain stable and effective during transit.
“This collaboration sets new standards for the storage and transportation of cell therapies, improving the safety and reliability of these sensitive materials,” says Stella Vnook, CEO, Likarda. “Leveraging Likarda’s technology and CCT’s global reach will expand both companies’ market presence and impact.”
Ranjeet Banerjee, CEO, Cold Chain Technologies adds: "We are very excited to partner with Likarda to develop and commercialise this transformative technology, which can revolutionise the way cryogenic shipments are done currently and can pave the way for a more efficient, cost-effective and scalable model to bring these lifesaving therapies to patients."
