ISCT 2021 | What can CGT manufacturing learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Delara Motlagh, PhD, MS, EMBA, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Lakewood, CO, considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the manufacturing of cell and gene therapies. Despite the accelerated development of vaccines and an increased number of accelerated designations, patient enrolment to cell and gene therapy clinical trials has been a key challenge. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of supply continuity, rapid response services and a focus on product quality. Given supply challenges for materials during the pandemic, manufacturers of cell and gene therapies could begin to stockpile materials and take a different approach to supplier selection and inventory management in the future. This interview took place during the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) Annual Meeting 2021.