GB2580359A

GB2580359A - Cell processing platform cell processing system and methods of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2580359A
Application number: GB1900111.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Singh Veraitch Farlan; Collings Simon; Brown Nicholas
Original assignee: Oribiotech Ltd
Current assignee: Oribiotech Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-04
Filing date: 2019-01-04
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-04
Also published as: GB2580359B

Abstract

A cell processing platform 15 for cell and gene therapy manufacture. The platform 15 has a body portion comprising inlet(s) fluidly connected to a fluid outlet 33. The platform has an auxiliary container port 19 fluidly connected to the fluid inlet(s) of the body portion. The auxiliary container port 19 engages to and seals with an auxiliary container 11. The auxiliary container’s 11 lumen is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet of the body portion when connected. The platform also has a primary container port that engages to and seals with a primary container 13. The primary container’s 13 lumen is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet 33 of the body portion when connected. The fluid inlet(s) and outlet of the body portion can be coupled to one another by a conduit 29. The platform 15 can have a valve 27 (e.g. pinch valve) to open and close the fluid conduit 29. The auxiliary container port 19 can comprise a container filling port 31 with a valve to direct fluid either into the auxiliary container’s 11 lumen, or from the auxiliary container’s lumen to the primary container 33. The platform can have a positional tracking device (e.g. magnet).

Description

CELL PROCESSING PLATFORM CELL PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cell processing platform for use in one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture. The present invention includes systems using such a cell processing platform and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes are often complex and include manual or semi-automated steps across several devices. Equipment systems used in various steps (i.e. unit operations) of cell-based therapeutic products (CTP) manufacturing may include devices for cell collection, cell isolation/selection, cell expansion, cell washing and volume reduction, cell storage and transportation. The unit operations can vary immensely based on the manufacturing model (i.e. autologous versus allogenic), cell type, intended purpose, among other factors. In addition, cells are "living" entities sensitive to even the simplest manipulations (such as differences in a cell transferring procedure). The role of cell manufacturing equipment in ensuring scalability and reproducibility is an important factor for cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

In addition, cell-based therapeutic products (CTP) have gained significant momentum thus there is a need for improved cell manufacturing equipment for various cell manufacturing procedures, for example but not limited to stem cell enrichment, generation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and various cell manufacturing processes such as collection, purification, gene modification, incubation/recovery, washing, infusion into patient and/or freezing.

The culture or processing of cells typically requires the use of a device to hold the cells, for example in an appropriate culture medium when culturing the cells. The known devices include shaker flasks, roller bottles, T-flasks and bags. Such bottles or flasks are widely used but suffer from several drawbacks. Chief among the problems are the requirement for transfer of cells without contamination when passaging or processing subsequently and the sterile addition of supplements and factors. The existing cell culture devices require re-supply of culture medium and oxygen for continued cell growth. Gas permeable cell culture devices are described in US 8415144. However, such devices also require transfer of medium and/or cells in and out of the devices.

Collapsible cell processing devices for use in medicine are known; see for example US 4867172 concerning a blood collector, or WO 2008/030597 concerning a canister liner for fluid collection. However, such devices are not fabricated or constructed for use in cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing unit operations (i.e. steps).

A key limiting factor in the production of cells or gene therapies for use in medicine is the absence of compact, automated closed systems for performing unit operations without contamination. For example during cell culture, upstream or subsequent processing of cells, there is a risk of contamination when making additions to the culture vessel, or when removing cells or removing liquid samples. The operating systems are largely manual and hence expensive to operate. Multiple pieces of equipment are typically required to cover all of the non-cell culture steps, which involves many transfers, each of which is an opportunity for operator errors and contamination to occur. Furthermore with increasing manual operations comes increasing risk of manual errors and therefore the current labour-intensive processes lack the robustness required for the manufacture of clinical-grade therapeutics.

There is therefore a need for cell processing devices (e.g. multistep cell processors) which permit such processing which avoids the requirement for constant movement of cells into fresh devices. For example, it would be advantageous if scale-up of cells in culture could be achieved without transfer of cells into a larger device as the cell population for any given culture increases.

Previous cell manufacturing devices use complex equipment which is large and difficult to assemble. The devices use complex networks of tubing, valves and pumps to link elements of the equipment together.

The applicant now provides an improved cell and/or gene therapy processing equipment which combines the advantages of the cell culture containers of the applicant's earlier applications (PCT/GB2016/051451 and PCT/GB2017/053389) (i.e. avoiding the need for pumps and the requirement for constant passaging of cells into fresh culture devices, holding vessels, tubes etc.) with the advantages conferred by having individually configurable cell and/or gene therapy processing devices. Together with an improved, closed cell processing unit, the improved device and container described herein permit a variety of unit processes to be performed within a single device or container having a smaller footprint and being less complex than existing equipment, as will be explained in more detail herein.

The applicant's earlier application (PCT/GB2016/051451) describes a cell culture container in which the wall element, being composed of a flexible material, is compressible with respect to its top and base sections. The cell culture container described therein is compatible with the cell processing unit and device described herein.

In a further earlier application (PCT/GB2017/053389) the applicant describes an improved version of a cell culture container, having at least one inlet and further comprising one or more auxiliary containers in fluid communication with the primary container. The cell culture container described therein is improved so as to be compatible with the cell processing unit and device described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of certain aspects of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described techniques and known art; particularly to provide a cell processing unit, a cell processing platform, a cell processing device and a cell processing container and systems that facilitate flexible, compact, low cost, multistep cell processing while reducing the risk of contamination.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a cell processing platform for use in one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture and a cell processing system and method in accordance with the appended claims.

Also described is a cell processing unit for cell and/or gene therapy manufacture and a cell processing system and method in accordance with the appended claims.

Also described is a cell processing device for use in one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture and a cell processing system and method.

Also described is a cell processing container for use one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture, a cell processing system comprising a cell processing container and a multi-step method of performing one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture.

Cell Processing Platform According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a cell processing platform for use in performing one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture, the platform comprising a body portion comprising at least one fluid inlet fluidly connected to a fluid outlet, and an auxiliary container port fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid inlet of the body portion, wherein the auxiliary container port is configured and arranged to receive and sealingly engage with an auxiliary container and to fluidly connect the container lumen with the at least one fluid inlet of the body portion, and a primary container port configured and arranged to sealingly engage with a primary container and to fluidly connect the primary container lumen with the fluid outlet of the body portion.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a sealable fluid inlet and/or a sealable fluid outlet.

In certain embodiments, the auxiliary container port is configured for sealing engagement with the fluid outlet of an auxiliary container.

In certain embodiments, the primary container port is configured for sealing engagement with the fluid inlet of a primary container.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a container receiving sleeve connected to the body portion and being configured to surround at least a portion of the auxiliary container which portion comprises the fluid outlet of the container.

In certain embodiments the container receiving sleeve comprises insulation means configured to maintain the contents of an auxiliary container received in the sleeve at a particular temperature. More specifically, the insulation means is a thermal sleeve. Accordingly, the auxiliary container receiving port may be configured to maintain the contents of a container received within the port at an optimal temperature. For example, the optimal temperature may be cell culture temperature (37 degrees Celsius), or room temperature (22 degrees Celsius), or refrigerated (e.g. around 4 degrees Celsius), or below freezing (e.g. around minus 4 degrees Celsius or lower, such as minus 20 degrees Celsius, or minus 80 degrees).

In certain embodiments the cell processing platform may have one or more auxiliary container ports configured to maintain a variety of temperatures.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a mating element configured to fluidly connect to a corresponding mating element on an auxiliary container.

In certain embodiments the mating element is one of: a sterile connector end or a Luer Lok TM. When the mating element of the auxiliary container port is a Luer Lok TM, the port may have a male Luer LokTM connector which will engage and couple with a corresponding female Luer LokTM connector on the container or vice versa.

In certain embodiments the primary container port comprises a mating element configured to fluidly connect to a corresponding mating element on a primary container.

In certain embodiments the mating element comprises one of: a sterile connector end or a Luer Lok TM When the mating element of the primary container port is a Luer Lok TM, the port may have a male Luer LokTM connector which will engage and couple with a corresponding female Luer LokTM connector on the container or vice versa.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a Luer Lok TM connector at the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port, each Luer Lok TM connector configured to engage with a further Luer Lok TM connector on a container and/or on the body portion respectively. More specifically, a male Luer Lok TM connector is configured to engage with a female Luer Lok TM connector.

In certain embodiments the fluid outlet of the body portion comprises a Luer Lok TM connector configured to engage with a further Luer Lok TM connector on a primary container attachable to the body portion.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a sterile connector end at the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port, each sterile connector end configured to engage with a further sterile connector end on a container and/or on the body portion respectively.

In certain embodiments the fluid outlet of the body portion comprises a sterile connector end configured to engage with a further sterile connector end on a primary container attachable to the body portion.

In certain embodiments the body portion is substantially hollow.

In certain embodiments the at least one fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the body portion are fluidly coupled to one another by a fluid conduit.

In certain embodiments the fluid conduit comprises a valve operable to open and close the fluid conduit.

In certain embodiments the valve is one of: a pinch valve, a pressure-sensitive valve, a clamp valve, a membrane valve, a rupture disc, a venous valve and an aperture valve.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a container filling port.

In certain embodiments the container filling port is fluidly connected to a fluid inlet of the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the container filling port comprises a valve operatively coupled to the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port and operable to control fluid flow direction through the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the container filling port comprises a valve operable, in an open position, to allow fluid to flow to the fluid inlet of the auxiliary container port and not to the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port and, in a closed position, to close the container filling port and to allow fluid to flow from the fluid inlet of the auxiliary container port to the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the platform comprises a plurality of auxiliary container ports each fluidly connected to a fluid inlet of the body portion. In this way, each of the plurality of auxiliary container ports is configured and arranged to receive and sealingly engage with an auxiliary container and to fluidly connect the container lumen with a fluid inlet of the body portion.

In certain embodiments each auxiliary container port is coupled to a separate fluid inlet of the body portion.

In certain embodiments each separate fluid inlet of the body portion is fluidly connected to a fluid outlet of the body portion.

In certain embodiments the platform comprises at least one positional tracking device operable to indicate a set location on the platform. In this way, the position of the platform may be tracked, for example when the platform is mounted into a cell processing unit according to the invention.

In certain embodiments the at least one positional tracking device is a mechanical device.

In certain embodiments, the at least one positional tracking device comprises a cog. In such embodiments, the mounting plate of the cell processing unit may comprise a further cog operable to engage the projections of the cog on the cell processing platform. In this way, the cell processing platform will need to be physically inserted into the mounting plate of the cell processing unit in the correct orientation. This, in turn, ensures the operator knows the position of the platform and thus containers mounted to the platform in the cell processing unit.

In certain embodiments the positional tracking device is an encoder. More specifically the positional tracking device is one or more of: a magnet, an RFID sensor, a light sensor or the like.

In certain embodiments the platform comprises a plurality of positional tracking devices.

In certain embodiments the at least one positional tracking device is located relative to the (or each) auxiliary container port such that the location of the positional tracking device is related to the position of the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the at least one positional tracking device is located on the body portion relative to the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the platform comprises a sampling port in the body portion.

In certain embodiments the platform comprises a gas transfer port in the body portion.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port is configured to receive a container having a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the container is composed of a flexible material.

In certain embodiments, the auxiliary container port is configured to receive a container described in International Patent Application Number PCT/GB2016/051451.

In certain embodiments, the auxiliary container is detachably mounted to the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the primary container port is configured to receive a primary container having a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the container is composed of a flexible material.

In certain embodiments, the auxiliary container port is configured to receive a primary container described in International Patent Application Number PCT/GB2016/051451 or In certain embodiments the primary container further comprises an attachment flange mounted to the top section of the primary container and being configured to sealingly engage and mount to the primary container port.

In certain embodiments, the primary container is detachably mounted to the primary container port.

Cell Processing Unit According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a cell processing unit for cell and gene therapy manufacture comprising a housing defining an enclosure into which a cell processing platform can be mounted, a platform mounting bracket within the housing and configured and arranged to receive and retain a cell processing platform, a drive apparatus configured and arranged to operatively engage and act upon the cell processing platform so as to move same with respect to the platform mounting bracket, and an actuator configured and arranged to exert a force on a container mounted into the cell processing platform so as to expel a contents from the container.

In certain embodiments the housing is accessible through a door in a wall of the housing.

More specifically, the door may be hingedly connected to the wall of the housing. Yet more specifically, the door is positioned in a front wall of the housing. In this way, front loading of the cell processing unit is possible.

In certain embodiments, the housing has a rectangular or square footprint.

In certain embodiments the platform mounting bracket comprises a mounting plate. More specifically, the mounting plate is configured to receive a portion of a cell processing platform. In this way, a cell processing platform is retained on the mounting plate when in use.

In certain embodiments the platform mounting bracket comprises a retaining flange spaced apart from the mounting plate in order that a cell processing platform can be received and retained in position in the housing between the mounting plate and the retaining flange.

More specifically, the retaining flange and the mounting plate together provide a recess (slot) into which a portion of a cell processing platform can be located and retained.

In certain embodiments the mounting plate is substantially C-shaped. Thus, a cell processing platform can be moved into location on the mounting plate from a sideways (i.e. front) loading position.

In certain embodiments the mounting plate is mounted to the housing.

In certain embodiments, the mounting plate is adjustable. More specifically, the distance between the base of the housing and the mounting plate is adjustable. In this way, different cell processing devices can be located in the housing.

In certain embodiments the mounting plate is positioned within the housing to allow a cell processing device to be supported by the plate without contacting the walls, top or base of the housing. In this way, the mounting plate suspends a cell processing device in the housing. The cell processing device is therefore able to rotate in the housing.

In certain embodiments the drive apparatus is a rotational drive apparatus configured and arranged to operatively engage and act upon a cell processing platform so as to rotate same with respect to the platform mounting bracket. Thus, the cell processing platform, once positioned in the cell processing unit and engaged with the rotational drive apparatus, can be indexed in its position relative to the platform mounting bracket by operation of the rotational drive apparatus. Thus, in certain embodiments the cell processing unit is operable to move a cell processing platform within it in an automatic process.

In certain embodiments the rotational drive apparatus comprises a drive wheel which is mounted on the platform mounting bracket and is configured to engage a surface of a cell processing platform and to impart rotational movement on it.

In certain embodiments the rotational drive apparatus comprises a sprung wheel biased towards the drive wheel and spaced apart from it and mounted on the platform mounting 20 bracket.

In certain embodiments the rotational drive apparatus comprises a hinged wheel biased towards the drive wheel and spaced apart from it and mounted on the platform mounting bracket.

In certain embodiments the hinged wheel is moveable into an open position in which a cell processing platform can be inserted into and engaged with the platform mounting bracket and a closed position in which the hinged wheel is engaged with a surface of the cell processing platform in order to retain same in the cell processing platform mounting bracket.

In certain embodiments the hinged wheel is moveable manually.

In certain embodiments the hinged wheel is moveable automatically. More specifically, the hinged wheel may be operatively coupled to an actuator operable to move the hinged wheel between the open position and the closed position.

In certain embodiments the hinged wheel is mounted to the door of the housing.

In certain embodiments the door of the housing comprises a platform engaging means. More specifically, the platform engaging means is one of: a flange, a protrusion or a lug located on the inside of the door (facing the inside of the housing) and being operable to engage with the surface of a cell processing platform when the door is closed. In this way, the platform engaging means is operable to retain the cell processing platform in the mounting bracket.

The platform engaging means may also be operable to maintain the cell processing platform in engagement with the drive wheel of the rotational drive apparatus.

In certain embodiments the drive apparatus comprises a three-point contact arrangement. In this way, a cell processing platform in the cell processing unit is retained in the drive mechanism around its full circumference.

In certain embodiments, the three elements of the drive apparatus (e.g. the drive wheel, the sprung wheel and the hinged wheel) are equally spaced from one another within the housing. Such an arrangement facilitates the rotational movement of the cell processing platform with the least number of drive wheels.

In certain embodiments the actuator is a linear actuator.

In certain embodiments, the actuator comprises a lever, a plunger or a series of levers, plungers or bellows configured to compress a container mounted into the cell processing platform. In certain embodiments the actuator is configured to compress the primary container and/or the one or more auxiliary containers mounted to the cell processing platform and located in the housing.

In certain embodiments the linear actuator comprises a plunger operatively coupled to a drive motor, wherein the plunger is configured to engage a container in the cell processing platform and to exert a compression force on the container.

In certain embodiments, the cell processing unit comprises a plurality of actuators. In certain embodiments the apparatus comprises a primary actuator configured and arranged to exert a force on a primary container mounted to the cell processing platform so as to expel a contents (e.g. a fluid, cells or the like) from the container.

In certain embodiments the primary actuator is a linear actuator.

In certain embodiments, the linear primary actuator comprises a lever, a plunger or a series of levers, plungers or bellows configured to compress the primary container.

In certain embodiments the primary actuator comprises a plunger operatively coupled to a drive motor, wherein the plunger is configured to engage a primary container mounted to the cell processing platform and to exert a compression force on the primary container.

It will be understood that any actuator should preferably be capable not merely of compressing or collapsing a container mounted to the cell processing platform but also of reopening it where this is required. In this way, the contents of the container can be agitated by repeated compression/extension of the container.

In certain embodiments the apparatus comprises a valve actuator operable to act upon a valve in the cell processing platform so as to open and close same as force is applied to the container. In certain embodiments the valve is a pinch valve.

In certain embodiments the valve actuator is a linear actuator.

In certain embodiments the valve actuator comprises a valve solenoid.

In certain embodiments the apparatus comprises a location detecting sensor operable to detect the position of the cell processing platform relative to the platform mounting bracket.

In certain embodiments the location detecting sensor is operable to detect the rotational position of the cell processing platform relative to the platform mounting bracket. In this way, the location of container ports, and therefore the containers mounted in the cell processing platform, are detectable as the cell processing platform moves relative to the housing.

In certain embodiments the location detecting sensor comprises one or more of: a Hall Effect sensor, an RFID sensor, a light sensor or a cog operable to engage a further cog.

In certain embodiments the apparatus comprises a home location detecting sensor operable to detect a home position of the cell processing platform relative to the platform mounting bracket.

In certain embodiments the home location detecting sensor is operable to detect a single rotational position of the cell processing platform relative to the platform mounting bracket.

In certain embodiments the home location detecting sensor comprises one or more of: a Hall Effect sensor, an RFID sensor, a light sensor or a cog operable to engage a further cog.

In certain embodiments the voltage detected by the Hall Effect sensor is greater at the home position of the cell processing platform relative to the platform mounting bracket than at any other position during the rotation of the cell processing platform relative to the platform mounting bracket.

In certain embodiments a container is mounted to the cell processing platform to form a cell processing device as described herein. More specifically, the container is compressible. In this way, the container configuration is based on a concertina (which can act as a pump) therefore there is no need for separate pumps and complex sets of tubing/pipes to transfer the contents of a container to another container in the system. In turn this configuration reduces the space needed for a cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing process.

In certain embodiments, the container is a container described in the applicant's earlier patent application PCT/GB2016/051451.

In certain embodiments, the container is a container described in the applicant's earlier patent In certain embodiments the container comprises a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the container is composed of a flexible material. Alternatively the container may comprise a syringe arrangement allowing it to be re-filled or emptied. In such a syringe arrangement, the container has an arrangement analogous to a syringe having an element that is moveable to either expel fluid from the container or draw it back in.

In certain embodiments, the container may comprise any shaped container with a moving seal allowing variable volume operations.

In certain embodiments the primary container is compressible.

In certain embodiments the primary container comprises a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the container is composed of a flexible material.

In certain embodiments the container(s) is one of: a reagent container, a bioreactor, a cell culture container, a waste container, a filter, an electroporator, a purifier, a waste container, a filter, an electroporator, a purifier, holding container, apheresis/leukopheresis, differentiation chamber, chromatography column, settling chamber, sieve, shaking/mixer a centrifuge and a magnetic bead separator or the like.

In certain embodiments the primary container is a cell culture container.

In certain embodiments control of the cell processing unit is an automated.

In certain embodiments the cell processing unit comprises a control system operable to activate the actuator and/or the drive means. In this way, a cell processing device loaded into the unit can be selectively moved to position a container in line with the actuator and/or the actuator activated to act upon a container in the housing so as to expel its contents.

In certain embodiments the control system is manually or automatic. More specifically, the automatic control system may be programmed to operate the actuator and/or the drive means in a predetermined sequence.

In certain embodiments, the control system comprises a user interface on the housing.

In certain embodiments, the control system comprises a user interface operably linked to and remote from the housing.

In certain embodiments, the user interface is operable to allow a user to programme instructions into the control system.

In certain embodiments the cell processing unit comprises a temperature control means. In this way, the temperature within the housing can be controlled and selected.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a cell processing system comprising a cell processing unit according to the invention.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cell and/or gene therapy manufacture utilising a cell processing unit according to the present invention.

Cell Processing Device According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a cell processing device for use in performing one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture comprising a cell processing platform according to the invention fluidly coupled to at least one container.

In certain embodiments, the cell processing platform is fluidly coupled to at least one auxiliary container.

In certain embodiments, the cell processing platform is fluidly coupled to at least one primary container.

Thus in certain embodiments there is provided a cell processing device for use in performing one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture comprising a cell processing platform fluidly coupled to at least one auxiliary container and being fluidly coupled to at least one primary container.

In certain embodiments the cell processing platform comprises a body portion comprising at least one fluid inlet fluidly connected to a fluid outlet, and an auxiliary container port fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid inlet of the body portion, wherein the at least one auxiliary container is received in sealing engagement with the auxiliary container port such that the auxiliary container lumen is fluidly connected with the at least one fluid inlet of the body portion, and a primary container is received in sealingly engagement with the primary container port such that the primary container lumen is fluidly connected with the fluid outlet of the body portion.

In certain embodiments the at least one auxiliary container is detachably connected to the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the primary container is detachably connected to the primary container port.

In certain embodiments, one or more auxiliary containers are indirectly fluidly coupled to the auxiliary container port. More specifically, one or more auxiliary containers may be connected to one another in series. Thus, an auxiliary container may be in fluid communication with a further auxiliary container, wherein the further auxiliary container is not in direct fluid communication with the auxiliary container port of the cell processing platform. Additionally, or alternatively, the cell processing device may further comprise one or more further containers, such as a bioreactor, in direct fluid communication with the primary container but not necessarily with the cell processing platform. In this way, the cell processing device may provide a multistage bioreactor operable to perform one or more unit processes in a cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing process.

In certain embodiments the container receiving sleeve comprises insulation means configured to maintain the contents of an auxiliary container received in the sleeve at a particular temperature. More specifically, the insulation means is a thermal sleeve. Accordingly, an auxiliary container port may be configured to maintain the contents of an auxiliary container at an optimal temperature. For example the optimal temperature may be a cell culture temperature (37 degrees Celsius), or room temperature (22 degrees Celsius), or refrigerated (e.g. around 4 degrees Celsius), or below freezing (e.g. around minus 4 degrees Celsius or lower, such as minus 20 degrees Celsius, or minus 80 degrees).

In certain embodiments, the cell processing device comprises one or more auxiliary container ports configured to maintain a variety of temperatures.

In certain embodiments the cell processing platform comprises a plurality of auxiliary container ports and wherein each one of a plurality of auxiliary containers are received in sealing engagement with one of the plurality of auxiliary container ports such that the lumen of each auxiliary container is fluidly coupled with a fluid inlet of the body portion.

In certain embodiments, the auxiliary containers are detachably mounted to the auxiliary container ports.

In certain embodiments the valve is one of: a pinch valve, a pressure sensitive valve, a clamp valve, a membrane valve, a rupture disc, a venous valve and an aperture valve.

In certain embodiments each auxiliary container port comprises a container filling port.

In certain embodiments each container filling port comprises a valve operatively coupled to the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port and operable to control fluid flow direction through the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the at least one auxiliary container comprises a mating element configured to fluidly connect to a corresponding mating element on the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the mating element is one of: a sterile connector end or a Luer Lok TM.

In certain embodiments the primary container port comprises a mating element configured to fluidly connect to a corresponding mating element on the primary container.

In certain embodiments the mating element comprises one of: a sterile connector end or a Luer Lok TM.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container port comprises a Luer Lok TM connector at the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port, each Luer Lok TM connector configured to engage with a further Luer Lok TM connector on a container and/or on the body portion respectively. More specifically, a male Luer Lok TM connector is configured to engage with a male Luer Lok TM connector.

In certain embodiments the fluid outlet of the body portion comprises a sterile connector end configured to engage with a further sterile connector end on the primary container attachable to the body portion.

In certain embodiments the cell processing device comprises at least one positional tracking device operable to indicate a set location on the cell processing platform. In this way, the position of the platform may be tracked, for example when the cell processing device is mounted into a cell processing unit according to the invention.

In certain embodiments, the at least one positional tracking device comprises a cog. In such embodiments, the mounting plate of the cell processing unit may comprise a further cog operable to engage the projections of the cog on the cell processing platform. In this way, the cell processing device will need to be physically inserted into the mounting plate of the cell processing unit in the correct orientation. This, in turn, ensures the operator knows the position of the device and thus containers mounted to the platform in the cell processing unit.

In certain embodiments the positional tracking device is an encoder. More specifically, the positional tracking device is one or more of: a magnet, an RFID sensor, a light sensor or the like.

In certain embodiments the cell processing device comprises a plurality of positional tracking devices.

In certain embodiments the at least one positional tracking device is located on the cell processing platform relative to the auxiliary container port such that the location of the positional tracking device is related to the position of the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the at least one positional tracking device is located on the body portion of the cell processing platform relative to the auxiliary container port.

In certain embodiments the system comprises a plurality of positional tracking devices each located on the body portion of the cell processing platform relative to an auxiliary container 20 port.

In certain embodiments the cell processing device comprises a sampling port in the body portion of the cell processing platform. Alternatively, the sampling port may be located in the base section of the primary container.

In certain embodiments the cell processing device comprises a gas transfer port in the body portion of the cell processing platform. Alternatively, the gas transfer port may be located in the wall of the primary container.

In certain embodiments the primary container further comprises an attachment flange mounted to the top section of the primary container and being configured to sealingly engage and detachably mount to the primary container port.

In certain embodiments the at least one auxiliary container is compressible. In this way, the container configuration is based on a concertina (which can act as a pump) therefore there is no need for separate pumps and complex sets of tubing/pipes to transfer the contents of a container to another container in the system. In turn this configuration reduces the space needed for a cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing process.

In certain embodiments, the container is a container described in the applicant's earlier patent In certain embodiments, the container is a container described in the applicant's earlier patent application PCT/GB2017/053389.

Alternatively the container may comprise a syringe arrangement allowing it to be re-filled or emptied.

In certain embodiments the at least one auxiliary container is a syringe. In such a syringe arrangement, the container has an arrangement analogous to a syringe having an element that is moveable to either expel fluid from the container or draw it back in.

In certain embodiments the at least one auxiliary container is a bag retained in a frame and moveable with respect to the frame. More specifically, the top section, the base section and wall element of the at least one auxiliary container may form a bag which can be held within an external adjustable frame, or in which the bag comprises an internal adjustable frame within the material of the bag. Accordingly, one or more of the auxiliary containers in fluid communication with a cell processing platform of the invention may form a bag, which can be held within an external adjustable frame, or in which the bag comprises an internal adjustable frame within the material of the bag. Such a bag may be configured to act for example as an intravenous drip bag. It will therefore be understood the product(s) of any reaction(s) carried out in a primary container or further container of the cell processing device may be collected into the bag, which can then be removed and transferred to an intravenous drip. Alternatively, the product(s) of any reaction(s) can be directly delivered to a patient from the lumen of the container, In certain embodiments the cell processing device comprises one or more auxiliary containers connected to an auxiliary container port of the cell processing platform. More specifically, the one or more auxiliary containers are detachably connected to an auxiliary container port of the cell processing platform.

In certain embodiments one or more of the auxiliary containers are connected to a respective auxiliary container port with a sterile connector.

In certain embodiments one or more of the auxiliary containers are connected to a respective auxiliary container port with a Luer Lok TM style connector.

In certain embodiments the at least one auxiliary container is located on the top of the cell processing platform.

In certain embodiments the primary container is located on the bottom of the cell processing platform.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a multi-step method of performing one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture using a cell processing device according to the invention.

In certain embodiments the method comprises introducing a cell population of interest into the primary container and sequentially adding one or more reagents from one or more auxiliary containers into the primary container via the cell processing platform in order to effect the desired growth, culturing and/or modification of the cells.

In certain embodiments the auxiliary container is one of: a reagent container, a cell culture container, a waste container, an empty container or a bioreactor.

In certain embodiments the primary container is one of: a cell culture container or a bioreactor, a reagent container, a waste container, a filter, an electroporator, a purifier, a a waste container, a filter, an electroporator, a purifier, holding container, apheresis/leukopheresis, differentiation chamber, chromatography column, settling chamber, sieve, shaking/mixer, a centrifuge and a magnetic bead separator or the like.

A container of the invention may be of circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, or triangular cross section. Alternatively, a container of the invention may comprise a number of different sections or regions of a variety of cross sections, such as for example a series of circular cross sections with variable (increasing and /or decreasing) diameters.

Advanced blow molding techniques can be used to deposit a second (or even third), external, coating or layer of plastic impermeable to oxygen onto the wall, top and base of the auxiliary container. In this way, shelf life of the container in storage can be extended.

According to a yet further aspect the present invention provides a cell processing system comprising a cell processing device according to an aspect of the invention and a cell processing unit according to the invention.

Cell Processing Container A critical step, and risk, in performing unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture, is the sterile connection of the components of the equipment to form a usable cell processing device or the like.

At least this object and advantages that will be apparent from the description have been achieved by a cell processing container for use in one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture, the container having a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the cell culture container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the cell culture container is composed of a flexible material, wherein the cell processing container comprises at least one sterile connector end configured to operatively couple with a further sterile connector end so as to form a sterile connector between the cell processing container and a further component to which the cell processing container is to be fluidly connected.

A sterile connector when referred to herein shall at least include a sterile connecting device configured to produce a sterile connection or sterile welds between two pieces of compatible tubing. This procedure permits sterile connection of a variety of containers and tubes of varying diameters by maintaining a closed system as the two portions of the sterile connecting device are mated with one another. In this way a sterile fluid pathway is maintained between two containers, tubes or the like. Each tube/container has a sterile connector end embedded therein and has a removable membrane (e.g. paper) or valve barrier for mating to another connector end embedded in a further tube/container. Sterile connectors are designed to connect one processing stream to another, such as a container to a sampling line, media to a product vessel, or a filtration assembly to a filling line. They become beneficial when no biocontainment hood is available to make an aseptic connection.

The line at the junction of the connection cannot be disconnected without force because of safety mechanisms in place to prevent this. Disconnection between connected sterile connector ends may, for example, require a disconnection device, tube sealer, or tube crimper.

In certain embodiments the at least one sterile connector end is a genderless sterile connector end configured to operatively couple with a further genderless sterile connector end.

In certain embodiments the at least one sterile connector end is a male sterile connector end configured to operatively couple with a female sterile connector end.

In certain embodiments the at least one sterile connector end is a female sterile connector end configured to operatively couple with a male sterile connector end.

In certain embodiments the cell processing container comprises a plurality of sterile connector ends each configured to operatively couple with a separate further sterile connector end to form a plurality of sterile connectors between the cell processing container and at least one further component to which the cell processing container is to be fluidly connected.

In certain embodiments the at least one further component is one of: a further cell processing container, a cell processing platform according to the invention, a tube or the like.

In certain embodiments the sterile connector ends are embedded in the cell processing container.

In certain embodiments the sterile connector end is operatively coupled to a pinch valve embedded in the cell processing container.

In certain embodiments the cell processing container has a circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, or triangular cross section.

In certain embodiments, when the cell processing container has a circular shape, the sterile connector end(s) is/are connected to the top and/or base section of the cell processing container in an essentially circular pattern.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a cell processing system, comprising a cell processing container as described above, further comprising one or more auxiliary containers detachably connected to the cell processing container.

In certain embodiments one or more of the auxiliary containers comprises the further sterile connector end and is connected to the cell processing container via said further sterile connector end.

In certain embodiments one or more of the auxiliary containers is located on the top section of the cell culture container.

In certain embodiments one or more of the auxiliary containers is located at or near the base section of the cell processing container.

In certain embodiments one or more containers may be connected in series. For example, the cell processing system of the invention may comprise an auxiliary container which is in fluid communication with a further auxiliary container, wherein the further auxiliary container is not is direct fluid communication with the cell processing container of the system.

In certain embodiments each container in a series of containers comprises a sterile connector end in a top and in a base section. In this way, it is possible to undertake one or more processing steps in an auxiliary container before making a sterile connection via the sterile connector ends in connected containers in order to undertake one or more further processing steps in the combined containers. In certain embodiments, the one or more processing steps and the one or more further processing steps may involve different cell processing units.

In certain embodiments the one or more auxiliary containers have a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the auxiliary container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the auxiliary container is composed of a flexible material.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a cell processing system operable to perform one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture. The cell processing system comprises, a cell processing unit according to an aspect of the invention, a cell processing device according to an aspect of the invention comprising a cell processing platform according to an aspect of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the cell processing system comprises at least one cell processing container according to an aspect of the invention.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a multi-step method of one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture using a cell culture system according to the invention.

In certain embodiments the method comprises introducing a cell population of interest into the cell processing container and sequentially adding one or more reagents from one or more auxiliary containers into the cell processing container in order to effect the desired one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments of the invention are capable of, will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments and aspects of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cell processing unit according to an embodiment of the invention with a cell processing device partially loaded into the device; Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a cell processing device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of the cell processing device of Figure 2; Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a perspective view of the valve means of the cell processing platform of the cell processing device of Figure 2; Figure 5 illustrates an isolated side view of one auxiliary container port and auxiliary container of the cell processing device Figure 2; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting bracket, actuators and frictional drive mechanism of the cell processing unit of Figure 1; Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the mounting plate and the frictional drive mechanism of the partial cell processing unit of Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of the cell processing device of Figure 2; Figure 9 illustrates a close up view of the cell processing device and sensor arrangement of Figure 8; Figure10 illustrates a top view of the cell processing device and sensor arrangement of Figure 8; Figure 11 illustrates a Hall Effect Sensor of the cell processing unit and a cell processing platform comprising at least one magnet; Figure 12 shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of a cell processing container comprising a plurality of sterile connectors according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of the cell processing system of the present invention; Figure 14A shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of the cell processing system of the present invention, where auxiliary containers are connected to the cell processing container, leaving an empty auxiliary container port for a further auxiliary container to be connected; Figure 14B shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of the cell processing system of the present invention, where an auxiliary container has been connected to the empty auxiliary container port of the cell processing container; Figure 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D show a known sterile connector arrangement formed from two sterile connector ends; Figure 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D show the formation of a sterile connector from two known sterile connector ends; Figure 17A shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of a cell processing container comprising a sterile connector end embedded 20 therein; Figure 17B shows a close view of the sterile connector end of the cell processing container of Figure 15A; Figures 17C, 17d and 17E a perspective view from the side of a representation of an auxiliary container for a cell processing device and/or a cell processing system according to the invention comprising a sterile connector end and being prepared for filling with reagent; Figure 18A shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of an auxiliary container comprising a sterile connector end embedded in a base section and a screw top cap in a top section; Figure 18B shows a perspective view from the side of a representation of one embodiment of a cell processing container comprising a plurality of sterile connector ends embedded in a top and a bottom section; Figure 18C shows a schematic representation of a number of prefilled auxiliary containers being connected to a cell processing container to create a cell processing system according to the invention having a sterile connector end in an auxiliary container port for receiving a further auxiliary container containing patient cells; Figure 18D shows a schematic representation of a number of prefilled auxiliary containers being connected to a single use wave container to create a cell processing system according to the invention having a sterile connector end in an auxiliary container port for receiving a further auxiliary container containing patient cells; and Figure 18E shows a schematic representation of a number of prefilled auxiliary containers being connected to a CSTR bioreactor to create a cell processing system according to the invention having a sterile connector end in an auxiliary container port for receiving a further auxiliary container containing patient cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary aspects of the disclosure. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these aspects without substantially departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Thus, the disclosure should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and not as being limited to the particular aspects discussed above. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, for example, definition of dimensions such as width or breadth or height or length or diameter depends on how exemplary aspects are depicted, hence, if depicted differently, a shown width or diameter in one depiction is a length or thickness in another depiction.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the example aspects may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Cell Processing Unit Fig. 1 illustrates a cell processing unit 1 according to the present invention. The cell processing unit comprises a housing 2 formed of four walls upstanding from a base wall and a top wall parallel to the base wall and spaced apart from it by the length of the walls. The housing 2 forming a chamber 3 with a hinged door 7 in one wall for receiving a a cell processing device 901 comprising cell processing platform (CPP) 9. On the front panel of the cell processing unit 1 is a control panel 5 to enable the user to program and control various features positioned within the chamber 3, as well as their interactions with the cell processing device 901. Details of these features and the cll processing device 901 are set out in more detail below.

The cell processing unit 1 has a housing 2 which defines an enclosed space, being chamber 3 in which one or more unit operations (i.e. steps) of cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing process can occur.

An automated cell processing system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises cell processing unit 1 and a cell processing device 901 as shown in Figure 2. The cell processing device 901 comprises a cell processing platform 9 and one or more auxiliary containers 11 coupled to the platform 9. The platform 9 can be manipulated by the cell processing unit 1 to transfer liquids between the auxiliary container 11 (e.g. feed bellows) located on the top of the cell processing platform 9 and the primary container 13 (e.g. reactor bellow) located on the bottom of the cell processing platform 9. Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which the cell processing system has cell processing unit 1 and a cell processing device 901 with five auxiliary containers 11 fluidly connected to the cell processing platform 9. The cell processing unit 1 rotates the platform 9 using a friction drive system. The cell processing unit 1 comprises a valve solenoid micro-linear actuator (38, Figure 6) which, when activated, opens pinch valves 27 in the cell processing platform 9 and presses the auxiliary container 11 using a linear actuator (106, Figure 6). The cell processing platform 9 comprises a body portion comprising base plate 15 onto which the primary container 13 (e.g. reactor bellow) is fitted on the underneath into a primary container port (Figure 2, reference numeral 14) and the five auxiliary containers 11 (e.g. feed bellows) are fitted on top of the base plate 15 in auxiliary container ports 19. The auxiliary containers 11 (e.g. feed bellows) are mounted on top of the sleeves forming the auxiliary container ports 19 which contain Luer Lok TM fittings to connect the auxiliary containers 11 to the tubing in the auxiliary container ports 19. The tubing being fluidly connected to the tubing in the base plate 15, through the base plate 15 and onto the fluid outlet at the primary container port 14. Each auxiliary container port 19 comprises a filling valve 31 which allows for filling of the auxiliary container 11 fluidly coupled to the port 19. The base plate 15 of the cell processing platform 9 contains normally closed pinch valves 27 acting on the tubing 29 between the auxiliary containers 11 and the primary container 13. In this embodiment, the cell processing system comprises a cell processing device with five auxiliary containers. However, it should be appreciated that in cell processing device may have a different number of auxiliary containers according to the present disclosure. It is further envisaged that the containers may have different volumes according to the present disclosure.

The chamber 3 is not sterile, however the containers are completely closed when loaded into the cell processing platform. The containers in parallel and/or series in the cell processing platform provide a single closed consumable unit (cell processing device) for the entire manufacturing process. Filling the containers occurs either aseptically (e.g. in a laminar flow hood) or using sterile connections (e.g. tube welding or sterile connections).

The housing 2 of the cell processing unit 1 allows for easy insertion and removal of the cell processing device 901 through a front opening door 7. With the door 7 open, the cell processing device 901 comprising the cell processing platform 9 and attached auxiliary containers 11 each comprising various cell processing reagents can be placed down and slid into its final position. The control panel 5 is located on the front of the housing 2, meaning that all interactions with the apparatus 1 happen from the front. In this way, multiple cell processing units 1 can be placed close together, side by side or on top of each other. Having rows of units or stacks of units, respectively, facilitates the capacity for advanced manufacturing and processing. The depicted embodiment is shown with five buttons, one for each feed actuation in a test protocol for the system. The door 7 is transparent so that the operations can be visible when demonstrating the function of the apparatus. In alternative embodiments an opaque door could be provided. In this way, the cells can be shielded from UV light during processing.

Cell Processing Unit Figure 6 shows a portion 101 of cell processing unit 1 with the housing 2 removed for ease of depiction. Inside the housing the portion of the cell processing unit 101 comprises a linear actuator 103 for compression of the auxiliary container 11 feed bellows, a linear actuator 106 for compression of the primary container 13 reactor bellow, a friction drive mechanism (107, 109, 111) mounted on mounting plate 104 and operable to rotate the cell processing platform 9 and a micro linear actuator 38 for opening the pinch valves which are operable to open and close the tubing in the platform. The internal structure of the apparatus is machined from aluminium, the linear actuators 106, 103 are aluminium and steel constructions with the lead screws hard coated in TFE dry lubricant.

In addition to the mounting plate 104, the mounting bracket comprises a mounting flange (not shown), located above the mounting plate in such a way as to retain the cell processing platform by frictional fit between the mounting plate 104 and the mounting flange.

The layout of the actuators 38, 103, 106 allows them to be hidden in the rear of the apparatus by a cover (not shown) through which only the plungers 103a, 106a protrude to compress the bellows of the auxiliary and primary containers respectively, helping to give a clean and uncomplicated appearance, and provides an apparatus that is simpler to clean and wipe down. A power supply and the electronics for the actuators and the frictional drive mechanism are mounted on the plate 112 below the mounting plate 104. The four risers 114 are adjustable in height and operable to change the distance between the mounting plate 104 and the plate 114 housing the power supply and the electronics. In this way, the apparatus can accommodation different sizes of primary containers.

The housing 2 contains all of the actuators and electronics necessary to manipulate the cell processing device. The feed bellow plunger 103a and reactor plunger 106a operable to exert a compression force on the auxiliary container and the primary container respectively, attach to linear rails, each with a maximum force of 100N. The motors driving the linear rails are bipolar stepper motors. The valve actuator 38 is a linear actuator with a maximum force of 45N.

The frictional drive mechanism (107, 109, 111) comprises a drive wheel 107 located on mounting plate 104 and operable to impart rotation on the cell processing device. The drive wheel 107 is a bipolar stepper motor. The actuator stepper motors on the linear rails and the stepper motor in the frictional drive mechanism are driven by a control system and associated power supply (not shown).

Figure 7 shows the elements of the frictional drive mechanism (107, 109, 111) mounted to the mounting plate 104 of the mounting bracket. To allow the cell processing device 901 comprising the cell processing platform 9 and the auxiliary containers to be inserted from front only, a drive method has been developed where the cell processing platform 9 is held between three friction wheels, one of which being driven 107, the other spring loaded 109 and the third being a hinge wheel 111 within the door which opens to allow insertion of the platform 9 and closes to lock it in place. The cell processing device 901 rotates on low friction PTFE pads 116 on the mounting plate 104. The spring force of the sprung friction wheel 109 will be such that there is no slip between the drive wheel 107 and the outer face of the base plate 15 of the platform 9. The driven wheel 107 is directly connected to a stepper motor. The base plate 15 of the cell processing platform 9 is fitted with a series of magnets 118 around its circumference so that its position can be read by a Hall Effect sensor 120 mounted on the mounting plate 104. The cell processing platform 9 therefore acts like an encoder and gives closed loop position feedback independent of any motor slip.

The Hall Effect sensor 120 mounted to the mounting plate 104 attached to the housing 2 is operable to detect the magnetic field from the magnets 118 on a cell processing platform 9 mounted in the housing 2. The Hall Effect sensor 120 is operable to detect the position of the cell processing platform 9 relative to the mounting bracket 104. As best seen in Figure 8, each auxiliary container port 19 attached to the base plate 15 of the cell processing platform 9 has a magnet 118 positioned in the base plate 15 adjacent the port 19. In this way, the Hall Effect sensor 120 will detect a magnet 118 when an auxiliary container port 19 and its associated magnet 118 is in line with the sensor. Therefore the respective auxiliary container port 19 is in a known position in the housing relative to the mounting plate 104.

Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 show the positional sensor array operable to detect the position of the cell processing platform 9 of the cell processing device within the cell processing unit 1.

The sensor array comprises Hall Effect sensors 120 and a series of magnets 118 on the base plate 15. The sensor array tracks the position of the cell processing platform 9 using the Hall Effect sensors 120. The Hall Effect sensors 120 produces a voltage in response to magnetic fields produced by magnets 118. There are two Hall Effect sensors 120 mounted to the mounting plate 104 in the housing 2 and a series of magnets 118 embedded in the cell processing platform 9. One of the Hall Effect sensors 120 is for tracking rotation of the cell processing platform 9 relative to the mounting plate 104 and the other Hall Effect sensor 120 is dedicated to tracking a so-called home position of the cell processing platform 9 relative to the mounting plate 104. The home position is determined by having one magnet 118 on a different pitch circle diameter to the other magnets 118 on the cell processing platform 9, serving as an index or marker to count full revolutions of the cell processing platform 9 in the housing 2. Using the cell processing device as an encoder, rather than having an encoder on the motor, means that there is a closed loop position feedback on the cell processing device itself.

To ensure there will be no slip between the drive mechanism and the platform 9, the friction between the elastomeric driving (friction) wheel 107 and the base plate 15 needs to be greater than the friction between the PTFE pads 116 and the base plate 15. Using the maximum force that will be transmitted between the drive wheel 107 and the base plate 15 of the platform 9, the normal force required to ensure consistent drive can be calculated..

Cell processing device The cell processing device 9, as shown in Figs. 2-5, comprises a cell processing platform having an annular base plate 15 with a number of auxiliary container ports 19, in this case five, arranged on the upper surface, and a single primary or reaction container 13 mounted on its underside at a primary container port 14. Each auxiliary container port 19 is adapted to receive an auxiliary container 11, such as the types described herein, or in the applicants' earlier publication W02018087558. Each of the auxiliary containers 11 in the example has a 45m1 maximum capacity such that the total feed capacity of the five auxiliary containers 11 is 225m1. The primary container 13 has a maximum capacity of 150m1.

As shown in the cross-section of Figure 3, the auxiliary container 11 comprises a top section 21 and a base section 23 with a collapsible bellows portion 17 located between them to define a storage volume 20. The base section 23 includes fluid outlet 25 through which the contents of the storage volume 20 can be transferred. With the auxiliary container 11 located into auxiliary container port 19, the outlet 25 is in fluid communication with a connector 26 located therein. In the example shown, the connector 26 comprises a 4-way stopcock described in more detail below.

The auxiliary containers 11 are formed of blow moulded LDPE while the auxiliary container ports 19 are formed of Nylon. The base plate 15 is formed of machined HDPE and the primary container 13 is formed of blow moulded HDPE bonded to a machined HDPE flange being the primary container port 14. The base plate 15 is made up of three pieces which are screwed together. The primary container 13 is mounted to the base plate 15 by screws.

A flexible tubing 29 comprises a first end fitted to connector 26, and a second end fitted to base plate outlet 33, thereby forming a fluid communication conduit between the auxiliary container 11 and the primary container 13. The flexible tubing 29 may comprise any appropriate length and cross section. In the example show, the flexible tubing 29 is Cole-Parmer ® Platinum Cured Silicone Tubing with inner diameter (ID) 1/8" and outer diameter (OD) 3/16". Aptly, the flexible tubing will be made from a suitably non-leachable, resilient and biologically inert material, in this case silicone, although other resilient materials may be used.

Fluid flow through the fluid communication conduit, and hence between an auxiliary container 11 and the primary container 13 is controlled by valve means 27, located within the base plate 15. In the example shown, the auxiliary container 11 is one of several, each located in a corresponding auxiliary container port 19 on the base plate 15. Accordingly, each auxiliary container 11 is provided with a unique fluid communication conduit 29 to the primary container 13, controlled by a separate valve means 27. In this way, the transfer of the contents of each storage volume 20 may be precisely and independently controlled.

One of the valve means 27 is shown in more detail in Figs. 4a and 4b. The valve means 27 comprises a closure portion 37 slidably engaged within a radial channel located in the base plate 15 and defined between channel walls 41a and 41b. The closure portion 37 is substantially a hollow rectangular shape with the longer pair of opposing walls arranged parallel with the channel walls 41a and 41b and the shorter pair of opposing walls arranged at its inner and outer surfaces. An actuating portion 38 is provided on the outer short wall and a compression portion 43 is provided on the inner shorter wall.

The closure portion 37 is the located over a valve wall 39 fixed within the channel and spaced away from the channel walls 41a and 41b. The closure portion 37 can thus be moved between two extreme positions -a closed position (Fig. 4a) and an open position (Fig. 4b) -by sliding past the valve wall 39 within the channel.

The flexible tubing 29 is arranged to extend through the valve means 27 such that a section of the tubing 29 sits between the valve wall 39 and the compression portion 43. In the closed position, the closure portion 37 is urged towards the outer perimeter of the base plate 15 by a spring 35. The spring 35 is positioned to act on the compression portion 43, urging it against the flexible tubing 29 and pinching it against the valve wall 39. Thus, in the closed position, the pinched section of tubing blocks the fluid communication conduit and prevents fluid flow.

To unblock the conduit, the closure portion 37 is moved towards the open position by pressing the actuating portion 38, releasing the compression portion 43 from the valve wall 39 and allowing the pinched section of the flexible tubing to revert to its original shape and permitting fluid flow.

With the cell processing device installed in the cell processing unit, the valve means 27 is actuated by actuator 38 and opened while the auxiliary container 11 is compressed by plunger 103a. The actuator 38 may be configured so that the valve means 27 opens when the auxiliary container 11 is compressed. Alternatively, actuation may occur as a separate step, for example when the auxiliary container 11 is received into the auxiliary container port 19. The actuation may occur automatically in conjunction with the compression of the auxiliary container 11, or may be controlled to happen independently.

In the example shown, the valve actuation is carried out by a linear actuator 38 located at the rear of the housing 3 of the cell processing unit 1 which acts upon the closure portion 37 to move it towards the open position. Thus, the valve means is normally closed and actuated to open only when fluid needs to be delivered to the primary container 13.

As shown in Figure 3, each auxiliary container 11 is attached to a filling valve connector 26 in the form of a 4-way stopcock. The connector 26 comprises a Luer Lok TM port for filling via direct access to the auxiliary container 11. This port, which may be used for manually inserting fluids into the auxiliary container, does not have its own valve means 27 but is capped instead.

Two further capped Luer Lok TM ports are provided on base plate 15 for sampling/harvesting fluid, or gas exchange. A first port leads to the head space of the primary container, while a further port is connected to the base of the primary container 13.

Figure 5 depicts the filling port 31 and lever 45 mounted on the auxiliary container port 19. The lever 45 is provided in order to fill the auxiliary container 11 without allowing material to flow into the valve means 27 or primary container 13. The lever 45 is operatively connected to a 4-way stopcock which forms the connector 26 in the example described above. At the fill position (lever pointing down), the filling port 31 is opened and flow of material through the port 31 is directed into the auxiliary container 11. Then, at the feed position (lever pointing up), the filling port 31 is closed and flow is directed from the auxiliary container 11 via the fluid communication channel 29 and into the primary container 13.

STERILE CONNECTORS

Figure 12 shows a cell processing container 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Cell processing container 200 comprises a base section 202, a top section 203 and a wall element 204 arranged between the top section 203 and the base section 2. The wall element 204 is preferably composed of a flexible material. The wall element 204 is preferably compressible with respect to the top section 203 and the base section 202. The cell processing container 200 may thereby have a "concertina" or "bellows arrangement", e.g. it may have one or more z-folds in the wall element 204 arrangement.

The cell processing container 200 may comprise 1 sterile connector end and preferably comprises a plurality of connector ends 205. The connector ends 205 are preferably sterile.

The sterile connector ends 205 are preferably located on the top section 203 and/or on the base section 202 of the cell processing container 200. The cell processing container 200 preferably comprises at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 sterile connector ends 205. According to a preferred embodiment, the sterile connector ends 205 are embedded in the cell processing container 200. The sterile connector ends 205 enable an easy and sterile connection of auxiliary containers 11 to the cell processing container 200.

The cell processing container 200 may have any possible shape. In a preferred embodiment the cell processing container 200 has a circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, or triangular cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, when the cell processing container 200 has a circular shape, the sterile connector ends 205 are preferably connected to the top 203 and/or base 202 section in an essentially circular pattern. The cell processing container 200 also comprises a sterile end connector 205 in the centre of the top 203 and the base 202. The sterile connector ends 205 are connected to the top 203 and/or base 202 section essentially symmetrically having essentially the same distance between the different connector ends 205. This enables an easier and possibly automated process of cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing. In an alternative embodiment, when the cell culture container 200 has a circular shape, a sterile connector end 205 are connected to the centre of the top section 203 and base section 202. An embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 13 and Figures 14A-14B, showing a cell processing system according to the present invention, comprising a cell processing container 200 as described above together with one or more auxiliary containers 11 attached to the cell processing container 200. The auxiliary containers 11 are preferably connected to the cell processing container 200 via sterile connector ends 205. The auxiliary containers 11 are preferably connected to the cell processing container 200 on the top section 203 and/or the base section 202. The auxiliary containers 11 may also be cell processing containers according to the invention comprising an embedded sterile connector end in a base portion of the container 11.

In further embodiments such as the one shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary containers 11 are fluidly coupled to the cell processing container 13 through a body portion 15. The body portion forms part of a cell processing platform 9. The auxiliary containers 11 each comprise a sterile connector end embedded in the base section of the auxiliary container 11. The embedded sterile connector end interconnects and sealingly engages with a corresponding sterile connector end in the body portion 15 of the cell processing platform 9. The cell culture container 13, being a primary container, is sealingly engaged with the bottom of the body portion 15 so as to form a fluid connection between the body portion 15 and the cell culture container 13.

The fluid conduit (not shown) between the sterile connector attaching the auxiliary container 11 to the body portion 15 and the fluid outlet (not shown) of the body portion 15 to which the cell processing container 13 is attached, comprises a pinch valve. The pinch valve is operable to open and close the fluid conduit in response to a valve actuator such that, as a compression force is applied to the respective auxiliary container 11, the contents of the auxiliary container can be transferred by the application of a compression force to the container. In alternative embodiments, the pinch valve may be replaced by a pressure-sensitive valve (e.g. a burst valve) such that the valve opens as a compression force is applied to the respective auxiliary container 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 14A and 14B, one or more of feed bellows 11 are pre-attached to the primary cell processing container 200 and prefilled with reagent (e.g. liquid) and stored in a refrigerator. The cell processing system shown in Figures 14A and 14B may be used for attaching heat labile components, such as viruses or cells, which need to be stored in at -80 degrees Celsius or in liquid nitrogen. Because, it is expensive to store the whole cell processing system at these temperatures, the embedded sterile connectors 205 in the feed bellows 11 and in the top of the primary container 200 serve as a way to add the heat labile component(s) without use of an aseptic laminar flow hood or sterile tubing welders thus eliminating tube based connections and keeping the system compact.

Figures 15A to 15D show an exemplary sterile connection between two sterile connector ends 400. The sterile connector ends 400 each have a mechanical connection (such as a screw thread) or latch (not shown) arranged in an internal circumferential manner on the sterile connector end 400. The internal circumferential latches provide the proper orientation of sterile connector end 400 relative to the other to ensure that the opposedly aligned adhesive members 40 attached to the sterile connector end 400 achieve a sterile fluid connection. In Figure 15B, two adhesive members 40 are aligned so that the front second fold adhesive coating of each adhesive member 40 mirror each other. This alignment is important as the rolled member 40 may be withdrawn in only one linear direction. Once the two front second fold adhesive coating surfaces are in contact, as shown in Figure 15C, the member pull grip 50 is pulled away from the longitudinal axis of the sterile conduit 190 thereby exposing the conduit aperture (Figure 15D). In Figures 15C and 15D, the rolled member 40 is completely withdrawn to an unfolded configuration and the conduit apertures are aligned to form a sterile corridor.

In Figure 16A, two opposing sterile connector ends 150 are aligned so that the front second fold adhesive coating 80, 120 of each rolled membrane of the sterile connector ends 150 mirror each other. This alignment is important as the rolled membrane may be withdrawn in only one linear direction. Once the two front second fold adhesive coating 80, 120 surfaces are in contact, as shown in Figure 16B, the entire adhesive surface areas come into contact thereby sealing each opposing sterile connector ends 150 together. In Figure 16C, the membrane pull grip 50 is pulled away from the longitudinal axis of the sterile corridor thereby exposing the conduit aperture 60. In Figure 16D, the rolled member 40 is completely withdrawn to an unfolded configuration and the conduit apertures 60 are aligned to form a sterile corridor between each sterile connector end 150.

Figure 17A shows a cell processing container 13 having a sterile connector end 37 embedded in a top section of the container wall. The sterile connector end 37 forms one half of a sterile connector when the cell processing container 13 is fluidly connected to the corresponding sterile connector end in an auxiliary container 11. In alternative embodiments, the cell processing container 13 is fluidly connected to the corresponding sterile connector end in a body portion 15 of a cell processing platform 9. The sterile connector end in a body portion 15 of a cell processing platform 9 being part of a primary container port of the platform.

Figure 17B shows an exploded partial view of the sterile connector end 37 of Figure 17A. Figure 17B shows a male sterile connector end, being half of sterile connector, in a top wall of cell culture container 13. The sterile connector end 37 comprises a removable paper cap 39 which, when engaged with the removable paper cap of a further sterile connector end is removed, exposes the sterile surfaces enclosed by a screw cap engaged with screw threads 41a and 41b of the sterile connector end 37 and creates a fluid connection through to the cell processing container lumen. Specifically, the removable paper cap is an anti-contamination pull tab which is initially folded over the sterile connector end 37 and has an end protruding therefrom. The pull tab can then be pulled out to expose the sterile surfaces to each other.

Figure 17C to 17E depict an auxiliary container 11 being filled with media in a sterile process. The process can be manual or automated. In Figure 17D the sterile connector end 37 is removed and media filled into the lumen of the container 11. The filling of the container 11 is performed under sterile conditions. In Figure 17E, the sterile connector end 37 is replaced and the auxiliary container 11 stored at the appropriate temperature until it is needed for assembly of the cell processing system. Once filled and ready for use, the auxiliary container 11 is inverted and the sterile connector end 37 mated and connected with a corresponding sterile connector end on a primary container such as a cell processing container.

In alternative embodiments such as the one depicted in Figure 18A, the auxiliary container 11 has a screw cap 51 at one end and a sterile connector end 37 at the other. In this way, the integrity of the sterile connector end 37 can be maintained during storage of the auxiliary container 11 by inverting the container 11 such that the media sits at the end of the auxiliary container 11 having the screw cap 51 and the sterile connector end 37 is free from any liquid contact.

The embedded sterile connector end 37 ensures that the auxiliary container 11 can be readily connected to an auxiliary container port of a cell processing platform 9 or directly to a cell processing container 13 in a cell processing system according to the invention.

Figure 18A shows an auxiliary container 11 having a sterile connector end 37 protected by in an end cap 151 in the base section of the auxiliary container 11. The container 11 also has a screw cap 51 in the top section of the container to allow for filling of the lumen of the container with media or the like. The screw cap 51 is compatible with automated media filling techniques and apparatus.

The sterile connector end 37 facilitates fluid connection between the lumen of the auxiliary container and the contents in it, with a cell processing container 13 having a corresponding sterile connector end in a top section of the container 13. In order to access the sterile connector end 37 in the base section of the auxiliary container 11, the cap 151 is removed, the sterile connector end 37 can then be mated into sealing engagement with a corresponding sterile connector end on the cell processing container 13. In alternative embodiments, the sterile connector end 37 can be mated into sealing engagement with a corresponding sterile connector end on a cell processing platform. More specifically, the sterile connector end 37 can be mated into sealing engagement with a corresponding sterile connector end in the auxiliary container port 19 on a cell processing platform 9.

Figure 18B shows a cell processing container (reactor bellow) 13 comprising a plurality of bottom sterile connectors, being embedded sterile connector ends 139, in the base section of the cell culture container 13. In the depicted embodiments, the cell processing container 13 (e.g. reactor bellow) is fitted with a plurality of sterile connector ends 141 in a top section of the container 13 for connection of a plurality of auxiliary containers 11. The auxiliary containers 11 may contain media and/or cell nutrients required for cell culture. Alternatively, the auxiliary containers may be for sampling or waste removal from cell processing container 13. In a sampling arrangement, the cell processing container (e.g. reactor bellow) 13 may be fluidly connected via a pinch valve to a removable auxiliary container 11. The pinch valve is opened and then the auxiliary container 11 is expanded to take the sample from the cell processing container 13. The pinch valve is then closed before detaching the sample auxiliary container 11. The connection could be via Luer Lok or similar which maintains a sterile barrier once the the pinch valve is closed. Thus, samples may be removed from the cell processing container 13. The cell processing container 13 (e.g. reactor bellow) is fitted with a plurality of sterile connector ends 139 in a base section of the container 13 for connection to a plurality subsequent collection/processing bellows (not shown). Pinch valves 127 are housed between the sterile connector ends 141 and the cell culture container 13, which pinch valves 127 can be used to switch on/off the flow of feeds from the auxiliary containers 11. Such valve activation is useful/necessary, for example, if only partial volumes are needed or feed needs to be added from a single auxiliary container at two or more time points.

In alternative embodiments, pinch valves can be embedded in the outlet tubing from each auxiliary container 11.

In yet further alternative embodiments, the pinch valves can be pressure actuated to open when compression force is applied to the respective auxiliary container 11.

Figure 18C shows the use of prefilled auxiliary containers 311 in a cell processing system 300 according to the invention. Four auxiliary containers 311 are prefilled with wash buffer and are stored at room temperature. Four further auxiliary containers 311 are prefilled with growth media and are stored at 4 degrees Celsius. Five auxiliary containers 311 are prefilled with Lentivirus are stored at -80 degrees Celsius. Four further auxiliary containers 311 are prefilled with media incorporating magnetic beads and stored at 4 degrees Celsius. One each of the prefilled auxiliary containers 311 are connected to the cell processing container 313 via sterile connector ends embedded in the base portion of each auxiliary container 311 and in the top of the cell culture container 311. An auxiliary container port 319 remains empty and ready for receiving a container including patient cells. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the cell processing system 300 comprises a different number of prefilled auxiliary containers 311 according to the present disclosure. For example, each set of prefilled auxiliary containers 311 may comprise 10s or even 100s of containers 311.

The cell processing system including the auxiliary containers 311 and the cell processing container 313 is now ready for processing in a cell processing unit according to the invention. Figures 18D and 18E shows the prefilled auxiliary containers 311 housed on a conventional single use wave bioreactor 413 and CSTR bioreactor 513.

The cell processing unit, cell processing platform, cell processing device and cell processing container according to the invention may be used in any chemical, biological or separation process. Unit processes (e.g. steps) of such processes may be undertaken. The cell processing device, in conjunction with the cell processing unit and, optionally, at least one cell processing container of the invention may be used in cell culture processes (e.g. culturing, manipulating, expanding or storing cells) or in gene modification processes (e.g. steps including purifying, genetically modifying, recovery and wash processes). Other suitable unit processes which can be performed in the cell processing unit, platform, device and container of the invention include but are not limited to purification (e.g. affinity, size), washing, settling, centrifugation, filtration, chromatography, magnetic bead processes, transduction, electroporation, novel hydrogels, shipping and thawing, expansion of cells in culture, genetic modification and cryopreservation.

A cell processing device and a cell processing container of the invention are each suitable for cell culture and processing of cells, including the use of the container in cell therapy, gene therapy vector production and/or exosome production. A container or device of the invention may be suitably sterilised prior to use (e.g. by gamma irradiation or other means).

Optionally the internal surface of the container may be coated with or comprise biologically active agents which can act on the cells in culture and/or induce differentiation.

The cell processing equipment described herein may be used in cell manufacturing and/or gene therapy manufacturing processes involving any suitable cell or gene type. For example, the device of the invention may be used to culture any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, suitably an animal cell, e.g. a mammalian, cell. The cells may be human or non-human. Examples of sources of suitable non-human cells include, rodents such as mice, rats, and guinea-pigs, as well as ungulate animals selected from ovine, caprine, porcine, bovine and/or equine species, or non-human primate species. However, the cells may be bacteria, yeast, fungi or plant cell in origin also.

The cells may be of any type including somatic cells and non-somatic cells. The cells may be stem cells derived from any stage of development of the embryo, foetus or adult animal. The cells may be genetically modified cells, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CARTS). The cells may be from a deposited cell line, such as genetically-modified Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells to produce recombinant proteins.

For example, embryonic stem (ES) cells, including cells of non-human origin. The cells may be derived from a deposited cell line, such as an ES cell line. The ES cells may be derived from means which do not necessitate the destruction of a human embryo such as parthenogenetic activation, as described in WO 2003/046141. The cells may be cells of a cancer or a hybridoma which can be caused to proliferate in culture and/or produce monoclonal antibodies. The cells may also be derived from the result of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in which the nucleus of a somatic cell is placed into an enucleated oocyte.

The cells may be pluripotent stem cells, for example primate pluripotent stem (pPS) cells, for example human embryonic stem (hES) cells. Where the cells are stem cells, the source may be from any tissue of the body, including mesenchymal stem cells (including umbilical cord derived stem cells), neural stem cells or haematopoietic stem cells. Also included are induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.

The present invention therefore provides for the processing of cells within a single device with multiple unit processes taking place as desired within the cell processing device via delivery/extraction of desired reagents, waste, cells, or product into or from one or more auxiliary containers in fluid communication with the primary container, thereby avoiding the risk of contamination. The system is simpler to use and further avoids the complexity of existing approaches. The invention provides for the safer processing of cells with improved reproducibility and ease of use.

The invention also provides for the extraction of cells from a patient (biopsy, such as blood or bone marrow), separation of cells, processing of cells (including cytokine stimulation and/or genetic modifications), solid-liquid separations and loading into a delivery device where the cells can be cultured in the same device throughout the entire process.

In embodiments of the invention, cell processing containers for performing unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing can be assembled in any configuration. In this way, a cell processing system may be provided within which a wide variety of processes (both biological, chemical and separations) can be undertaken. Similarly, the cell processing system may comprise a cell processing platform of the invention in conjunction with one or more cell processing containers. In this way it is possible to provide a multistage bioreactor operable to perform one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacturing. Because each cell processing container is based on a concertina arrangement (which can act as a pump) there is no need for pumps and complex sets of tubing/pipes. The system therefore shrinks the space needed for any given manufacturing process. A cell processing system according to the invention is particularly well suited for autologous (patient specific) cell and gene therapy where one needs to run a whole manufacturing run for each patient. Using traditional manufacturing approaches is not feasible when scaling up to over 5000 patients/year given the amount of space needed to run so many parallel manufacturing runs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cell processing platform for use in one or more unit operations in cell and/or gene therapy manufacture, the platform comprising a body portion comprising at least one fluid inlet fluidly connected to a fluid outlet, and an auxiliary container port fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid inlet of the body portion, wherein the auxiliary container port is configured and arranged to receive and sealingly engage with an auxiliary container and to fluidly connect the container lumen with the at least one fluid inlet of the body portion, and a primary container port configured and arranged to sealingly engage with a primary container and to fluidly connect the primary container lumen with the fluid outlet of the body portion.
2. A cell processing platform according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary container port comprises a container receiving sleeve connected to the body portion and being configured to surround at least a portion of the auxiliary container which portion comprises the fluid outlet of the container.
3. A cell processing platform according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the auxiliary container port comprises a mating element configured to fluidly connect to a corresponding mating element on an auxiliary container.
4. A cell processing platform according to claim 3, wherein the mating element is at least one of: a sterile connector end or a Luer Lok TM.
5. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary container port comprises a mating element configured to fluidly connect to a corresponding mating element on a primary container.
6. A cell processing platform according to claim 5, wherein the mating element comprises at least one of: a sterile connector end or a Luer Lok TM
7. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary container port comprises a sterile connector end at the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port, each sterile connector end configured to engage with a further sterile connector end on a container and/or on the body portion respectively.
8. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid outlet of the body portion comprises a sterile connector end configured to engage with a further sterile connector end on a primary container attachable to the body portion.
9. A cell processing platform according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion is substantially hollow.
10. A cell processing platform according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the body portion are fluidly coupled to one another by a fluid conduit.
11. A cell processing platform according to claim 10, wherein the fluid conduit comprises a valve operable to open and close the fluid conduit.
12. A cell processing platform according to claim 11, wherein the valve is one of: a pinch valve, a pressure-sensitive valve, a clamp valve, a membrane valve, a rupture disc, a venous valve and an aperture valve.
13. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary container port comprises a container filling port.
14. A cell processing platform according to claim 13, wherein the container filling port is fluidly connected to a fluid inlet of the auxiliary container port.
15. A cell processing platform according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the container filling port comprises a valve operatively coupled to the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port and operable to control fluid flow direction through the auxiliary container port.
16. A cell processing platform according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the container filling port comprises a valve operable, in an open position, to allow fluid to flow to the fluid inlet of the auxiliary container port and not to the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port and, in a closed position, to close the container filling port and to allow fluid to flow from the fluid inlet of the auxiliary container port to the fluid outlet of the auxiliary container port.
17. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of auxiliary container ports each configured and arranged to receive and sealingly engage with an auxiliary container and to fluidly connect the container lumen with a fluid inlet of the body portion.
18. A cell processing platform according to claim 17, wherein each auxiliary container port is coupled to a separate fluid inlet of the body portion.
19. A cell processing platform according to claim 18, wherein each separate fluid inlet of the body portion is fluidly connected to a fluid outlet of the body portion.
20. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one positional tracking device operable to indicate a set location on the platform.
21. A cell processing platform according to claim 20, wherein the positional tracking device is at least one of: a magnet, an RFID sensor, a light sensor or a cog operable to engage a further cog.
22. A cell processing platform according to claim 20 or claim 21, comprising a plurality of positional tracking devices.
23. A cell processing platform according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the at least one positional tracking device is located relative to the auxiliary container port such that the location of the positional tracking device is related to the position of the auxiliary container port.
24. A cell processing platform according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the at least one positional tracking device is located on the body portion relative to the auxiliary container port.
25. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sampling port in the body portion.
26. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gas transfer port in the body portion.
27. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary container port is configured to receive a container having a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the container is composed of a flexible material.
28. A cell processing platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary container port is configured to receive a primary container having a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container preferably is compressible with respect to the top and base section and the wall element of the container is composed of a flexible material.
29. A cell processing platform according to claim 28, wherein the primary container further comprises an attachment flange mounted to the top section of the primary container and being configured to sealingly engage and detachably mount to the primary container port.