Automated CO₂ incubators for advanced cell therapy production

To support the future implementation of workflow automation in cell therapy production, Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced the Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO₂ Incubators. These incubators are designed for integration into automated and modular laboratories. The VIOS family of incubators is known for providing optimal cell growth conditions and minimising contamination risks. The new addition of patent-pending automated door control allows the Heracell VIOS AxD CO₂ incubator to open automatically when integrated into a centralised lab automation platform. This feature facilitates vessel loading and unloading through robotic control, supporting continuous cell therapy production processes.

Emerging cell therapy manufacturers, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies focused on bringing advanced therapies to market seek to automate the production of cultured cells without compromising quality. The innovative design of the Heracell VIOS Incubator modernises cell therapy production while maintaining stringent contamination control features.

"Human handling and complex processes limit the broad availability of cutting-edge cell therapies to treat cancer, autoimmunity, and orphan diseases. Automation could play a vital role in producing therapies in a more economical and safer fashion," said Douglas Wernerspach, Senior Business Director and General Manager for CO₂ Growth, Protection, and Separation products. "Very few automation solutions available on the market allow for multiple large sample vessels in various laboratory workflows. This novel CO₂ Incubator brings our customers closer to a fully automated lab."

The Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO₂ Incubators are the most advanced incubators in the VIOS portfolio. With excellent cell culturing conditions that help ensure critical quality attributes of cells, Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO₂ incubators support emerging automated cell therapy production processes on a large scale. This advancement helps improve human health by supporting the cell manufacturing process within cell and gene therapies.

Features include in-chamber HEPA filtration, which captures all particles regardless of size, protecting cultures from airborne contaminants that can enter any incubator when the door is opened. The active airflow system ensures homogeneous culturing conditions throughout the incubator chamber, while the Steri-Run™ Cycle, which is independently proven to reach a 12-log sterility assurance level, eliminates more than one million biological indicators for both dry heat sterilisation and autoclave sterilisation in half the lethal time used in production models.

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