Terumo BCT and FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific Partner to Optimize T Cell Expansion Process

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT), and FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific have announced a strategic collaboration to help accelerate T cell expansion using Fujifilm's PRIME-XV^® T Cell Expansion Media on Terumo BCT’s Quantum Flex™ Cell Expansion System. By using systems that work together, this collaboration offers an optimized workflow solution with a ready-to-use process, aimed at reducing the barriers in scaling T cell expansion. 

Cell therapy developers, especially early-stage companies, often face significant challenges scaling their manufacturing processes, requiring extensive investment in developing their own methods for T cell expansion. Terumo BCT’s protocols, tested with Fujifilm’s commercially available, chemically defined, GMP-compliant media, help reduce challenges associated with T cell expansion such as time, cost, and complexity of creating in-house processes.  

“We’re optimistic about the impact this collaboration will have on the industry by advancing process standardization and reducing risks in therapy development through integrated, proven solutions,” said Veerle d’Haenens, General Manager of Global Therapy Innovations at Terumo BCT. “This partnership reflects our commitment to addressing challenges directly and providing tools that bring cell therapies closer to patients.” 

Fujifilm’s PRIME-XV T Cell Expansion Media, used in combination with Terumo BCT’s Quantum Flex Cell Expansion System, offers a reliable, reproducible option for expanding T cells at scale. This combined approach gives an optimized workflow utilizing GMP-manufactured media that helps meet regulatory requirements, helping ensure consistency from development through clinical research phases. Fujifilm PRIME-XV T cell media has a Drug Master File (DMF) as an added level of convenience to help expedite approval for the therapeutic treatment.   

At FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, we value our partners, such as Terumo BCT, and working towards a shared vision to improve workflow for cell therapy developers. With T cells playing such a vital role in many new cell-based therapies, we designed our Fujifilm PRIME-XV T cell media to deliver consistent, high-quality T cell production. Collaborations like this offer a tremendous opportunity to address such a critical industry need — enabling faster, more efficient cell therapies for patients. Together, we can make an impact to accelerate their development.” 

Yutaka Yamaguchi, chairman and chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific