New robotic technology promises to make cell and gene therapies more accessible by reducing manufacturing costs and improving efficiency.
Multiply Labs has unveiled a robotic biomanufacturing cluster designed to cut cell and gene therapy (CGT) production costs by 74%.
The system uses multiple collaborative robot arms working in parallel to fully automate CGT manufacturing. By eliminating manual intervention, the technology addresses one of the key challenges in scaling these therapies while maintaining consistent quality.
How the Robotic System Works #
The modular biomanufacturing system leverages Universal Robots (UR) collaborative arms arranged floor-to-ceiling to minimize the cleanroom footprint.
- The robots are trained using video demonstrations of scientists performing each step manually, ensuring alignment with established CGT protocols.
- Because the technology mimics existing, validated processes, it also helps overcome regulatory hurdles for process approval.
This setup allows CGT production to run 24/7, reduces cleanroom space requirements, and ensures consistent output — a major bottleneck in traditional manual production.
Addressing Cost Challenges in CGT #
Cell and gene therapy has been around since the late 1970s, with Novartis’ Kymriah achieving FDA approval in 2017. Despite the promise of these therapies, high manufacturing costs and difficulty scaling have limited commercial viability.
- Pfizer’s Beqvez, a hemophilia B gene therapy, was discontinued due to poor uptake, partly because of its $3.5 million price tag.
- Automating CGT production has been challenging, as even small batch processes require precise human skill to maintain quality.
Multiply Labs’ robotic system offers a solution by replicating manual processes with greater efficiency and a smaller footprint.
Preserving Traditional Methods While Enhancing Efficiency #
Connor Kennedy, Global Pharma Segment Manager at Universal Robots, highlighted the system’s unique approach:
“Multiply Labs worked with academic partners to define a manual baseline, then integrated robotics to improve both efficiency and cost without altering established CGT protocols.”
The cluster uses UR’s Polyscope platform, allowing coordinated control of multiple robots and seamless integration with existing lab equipment. This ensures that automation complements rather than replaces proven methods.
The Future of CGT Automation #
Automation in CGT manufacturing could have transformative impacts:
- Reduced production costs could make previously unaffordable therapies commercially viable.
- Smaller, decentralized systems may allow hospitals to manufacture therapies on-site, reducing the need to ship patient samples to centralized facilities.
- Greater efficiency and scalability could expand access to personalized medicine, rare cancer treatments, and therapies for genetic disorders.
Kennedy predicts that robotic CGT manufacturing could see widespread adoption within five years, fundamentally improving patient access and reducing healthcare costs.
Conclusion #
Multiply Labs’ biomanufacturing robot represents a significant leap in cell and gene therapy production, automating complex processes, cutting costs, and improving scalability. As robotics integrate more deeply into healthcare manufacturing, patients may soon benefit from faster, more affordable, and widely available CGT treatments, heralding a new era in personalized medicine.