Sartorius Stedim Biotech and Nanotein Technologies, a developer of next-generation immune cell activation reagents, have entered into a partnership. As part of the collaboration, Sartorius Stedim Biotech will invest up to USD 3 million in a minority shareholding in Nanotein Technologies to support the commercialisation and joint development of solutions based on its NanoSpark platform.

Under the exclusive distribution agreement, Sartorius Stedim Biotech will offer Nanotein’s lead products to customers worldwide: the NanoSpark STEM-T Soluble T Cell Activator and NanoSpark GROW-NK Soluble Activator. These reagents are designed to enhance the expansion and quantity of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells – two key immune cell types used in a range of cell therapy applications, including CAR-T and NK-based cancer therapies.

Producing effective cell therapies begins with the activation of immune cells to trigger expansion and generate large numbers of high-quality cells. In the process, developers face challenges such as the reliance on feeder cells or inconsistent yields.

“Nanotein’s soluble activators are designed to improve cell therapy expansion by enhancing the quality and quantity of T cells and providing a feeder-free soluble activator for NK cell activation and expansion, addressing critical challenges in the manufacturing process”, said Curtis Hodge, Co-Founder and CEO of Nanotein Technologies.

“This partnership will provide our customers with access to some of the most promising new tools for simplifying workflows and improving immune cell manufacturing. Together with Nanotein, we’re enabling cell therapy manufacturers to innovate with greater speed and confidence - from early process development to the clinic,” said René Fáber, CEO of Sartorius Stedim Biotech.

Additionally, Sartorius Stedim Biotech and Nanotein Technologies will collaborate using the NanoSpark platform to develop additional novel product offerings for the rapidly expanding cell and gene therapy markets.