Rapid Cell Bank Production Yields Critical Timeline Savings

Challenge

Whether relying on internal teams or external partners, the timely production of critical cell banks plays a major role in research timelines. Finding a partner with the ability to rapidly and reliably deliver the necessary production is a cornerstone priority for most biotech research groups. In this case study, a biotechnology company had scheduled a series of assay work with a CRO. The cell banks to be tested were to be produced by the same CRO.

However, with the scheduled testing window approaching, the CRO informed the biotech client that backlogs in their cell culture lab would make meeting the timeline impossible. The client immediately called ABS Bio, and we jumped into action.

After confirming the cells had not yet been thawed by the CRO, the client arranged to have the cells shipped to ABS, and the transfer of protocols commenced. In just over two weeks, ABS initiated the first production run. Four weeks after that, two 50-vial cell banks (two cell lines) were completed. ABS initially shipped two vials directly to the client for functional testing, while storing the bulk of the cell banks until it was time to ship to the CRO (according to testing schedules). Once those functional test results were confirmed as satisfactory, ABS shipped the remainder of the cell banks to the CRO for the planned testing program. In the end, all timelines were met, despite the last-minute change of cell culture location.

Since that time, ABS continues to store cell vials for this client and has produced multiple additional cell banks across multiple cell lines for them. We have also added flow cytometry services for their cell lines.

Details

The company faced significant challenges:

• The CRO’s backlog caused substantial delays in cell bank production.
• The delay threatened the timely start of the company's contracted study.
• Prolonged timelines could have led to additional costs and impacted research progress.

Solution

ABS Bio provided a seamless solution by:

• Quickly transferring the client’s protocols and initiating production runs within two weeks of receiving the cells.
• Completing the production of two 50-vial cell banks (two cell lines) within four weeks.
• Coordinating the shipment and storage of the cell banks to ensure the project stayed on schedule.
• Conducting quality control and delivering functional test results that met the client’s standards.

Benefits

The decision to work with ABS resulted in several positive outcomes:

• Successfully met the client’s tight timeline, avoiding delays in the scheduled testing.
• All functional test results were confirmed as satisfactory, and the project proceeded as planned.
• ABS has since established a long-term partnership with the client, storing cell banks and producing additional cell lines for their ongoing research.
• The addition of flow cytometry services has further strengthened ABS’s role as a reliable partner for the client.

By stepping in at a critical moment, ABS enabled a biotechnology company to meet its research deadlines despite the delays caused by its CRO. This case study demonstrates the importance of responsive, expert partners like ABS in ensuring continuity and success in biotech research.

Please contact ABS for more information:

(302) 654-4492

(800) 391-2391

services@absbio.com