Merck uses acoustic technology in first for cell therapy manufacturing

Science and technology company Merck has become the first company to make acoustic technology available for cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

The company has acquired FloDesign Sonics, a developer of acoustic cell processing technology, to help it advance its cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities.

Acoustic cell processing allows for the manipulation of cells using ultrasonic waves. FloDesign Sonics has developed a platform that allows enhanced cell washing and concentration for manufacturing cell therapies.

“Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, or CAR-T for short, employs the body’s own immune systems to fight cancer by turning T cells into targeted therapeutics. This revolutionary cancer treatment is challenging and complex, with the process often taking up to a month,” explained Udit Batra, member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “Our acquisition of FloDesign Sonics will industrialise the manufacturing of autologous cell therapy, allowing these types of potentially life-saving treatments to reach more patients, faster.”

“Merck is the best home for FloDesign Sonics, our acoustic cell processing technology and our employees,” said Stanley Kowalski III, co-founder, chairman and CEO of FloDesign Sonics. “The opportunity for FloDesign Sonics to become part of a world class 351-year-old science and technology company is very rewarding.”