BrainChild Bio Receives Recognition for Innovation in Cell Therapy
ScaleReady, in collaboration with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, Bio-Techne Corporation, and CellReady, has announced that BrainChild Bio has been awarded a $300,000 G-Rex® Grant. This prestigious grant is aimed at accelerating the process development and commercial readiness of BCB-276, BrainChild Bio’s lead autologous CAR-T therapy designed to treat diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a devastating and currently incurable pediatric brain tumor. With this funding, BrainChild Bio is preparing to advance BCB-276 into a multi-center Phase 2 pivotal clinical trial in 2025, offering hope to children and young adults affected by DIPG.
“G-Rex has been an essential element of our clinical CAR-T manufacturing program at Seattle Children’s dating back to 2012. We greatly appreciate the support of ScaleReady’s G-Rex Grant Program as well as the technical expertise offered to us by ScaleReady related to new advancements,” said Dr. Michael Jensen, Chief Scientific Officer at BrainChild Bio. His remarks underscore the critical role that G-Rex technology has played in advancing CAR-T cell therapies and the profound impact of this grant on their mission to combat pediatric brain tumors.
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation and co-inventor of the G-Rex platform, shared his enthusiasm for supporting BrainChild Bio’s groundbreaking work: “We have a tremendous amount of respect for the pioneering CAR-T therapies that Dr. Jensen and his team have advanced over the last 15 years. Their relentless pursuit of cancer cures is inspiring. It’s an honor for our team to be able to help accelerate BrainChild’s novel BCB-276 treatment for brain tumors to those in need, and this program is perfectly aligned with our goal of bringing hope to cancer patients.”
The G-Rex Grant will allow BrainChild Bio to perform critical process development and optimization of its CAR-T cell manufacturing process. The use of G-Rex technology will enable BrainChild Bio to establish a manufacturing approach characterized by simplicity, consistency, and flexibility. These qualities are crucial for the production of BCB-276 in preparation for its pivotal clinical trial.
The grant also provides BrainChild Bio the opportunity to evaluate CellReady’s standardized CAR-T cell process. This innovative process is a highly efficient 7-day manufacturing workflow that incorporates closed system G-Rex bioreactors and Bio-Techne’s newly developed closed system ProPak GMP cytokines. Together, these tools offer a scalable, high-throughput solution capable of delivering high-quality CAR-T products to patients.
The collaboration between ScaleReady and BrainChild Bio exemplifies the power of partnership in advancing cutting-edge therapies. ScaleReady’s G-Rex Grant Program, a $20 million initiative, was specifically established to accelerate the development and manufacturing of cell and gene-modified cell therapies (CGTs).
The program provides individual awards of up to $300,000, along with unparalleled access to ScaleReady’s consortium of G-Rex Grant Partners. These partners bring best-in-class tools, technologies, and expertise in areas such as cGMP manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and CGT business operations. By fostering collaboration and innovation, ScaleReady aims to transform the CGT landscape and bring life-saving treatments to patients faster.
The importance of this grant extends beyond funding. It highlights the critical role of advanced manufacturing technologies in enabling the development of innovative therapies. The G-Rex platform, a cornerstone of this initiative, has already proven its value in streamlining CAR-T cell manufacturing. Its ability to simplify complex workflows while maintaining high-quality standards makes it an indispensable tool for companies like BrainChild Bio that are on the forefront of medical innovation.
BrainChild Bio’s lead therapy, BCB-276, represents a significant advancement in the fight against DIPG. DIPG is a rare but aggressive form of brain cancer that predominantly affects children. With no current cure and limited treatment options, DIPG presents one of the most challenging frontiers in pediatric oncology. BrainChild Bio’s CAR-T therapy leverages the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, offering a potential breakthrough for this devastating disease. The company’s commitment to advancing BCB-276 to clinical trials reflects its dedication to improving outcomes for young patients and their families.
The broader impact of ScaleReady’s G-Rex Grant Program cannot be overstated. By supporting companies like BrainChild Bio, the program is driving innovation and setting new standards for the development and manufacturing of cell therapies. Its emphasis on collaboration and shared expertise ensures that the benefits of these advancements are realized across the industry. The program also serves as a model for how targeted investments and strategic partnerships can accelerate progress in the biotech sector.
The collaboration between BrainChild Bio, ScaleReady, and its partners represents a unified effort to overcome some of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine. The integration of advanced technologies like the G-Rex bioreactor and the CellReady CAR-T process is a testament to the potential of innovation to transform patient care. By streamlining manufacturing workflows and enhancing product consistency, these technologies are enabling companies to bring therapies to market more efficiently and effectively.
As BrainChild Bio prepares for its pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial in 2025, the support provided by ScaleReady’s G-Rex Grant will be instrumental in achieving its goals. The trial will mark a critical milestone in the development of BCB-276 and could pave the way for new treatment options for patients with DIPG. Success in this endeavor would not only provide hope to families affected by this devastating disease but also reaffirm the potential of CAR-T therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment.
In conclusion, the awarding of the G-Rex Grant to BrainChild Bio underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and targeted investment in advancing medical breakthroughs. ScaleReady’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge therapies through its grant program is helping to accelerate the development of life-saving treatments and improve outcomes for patients worldwide. With the backing of this grant, BrainChild Bio is well-positioned to make significant strides in the fight against DIPG and set a new standard for the future of CAR-T therapy.
