Airborne Pathogens a Topic of Increasing Interest at Life Science Conference as LifeAire Sheds Light on Impact to Gene/Cell Culture Environments

After winning the Interphex Pharmaceutical Processing Editor’s Choice award last year, LifeAire Systems was happy to return to Interphex in 2019 with even stronger energy and commitment toward addressing cytotoxic airborne pathogens and their impact in manufacturing processing. 

We had many excellent conversations specific to the cytotoxic role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and viable particulates on cell culture processes and the importance of comprehensively remediating all airborne contaminants in providing a successful cellular product to patients.

Our founder and CEO, Kathryn C. Worrilow, Ph.D., was invited to present our most recent research on the living cell entitled “A Transformational Living Cell Environment: A Paradigm Shift in Personalized Medicine that Provided the Most Comprehensive Protection Across all Cell Culture/Processing Operations.” She presented new findings on the speciation and concentration of VOCs and specific viables measured in critical processing areas of cell and gene therapy facilities and how the airborne pathogen concentration relates to concentrations within the cell culture media and ultimately, within the cells. It was wonderful to see increased visibility of the critical role that air plays in living cell environments.

Dr. Worrilow also participated on a very well attended live panel entitled “CAR-T Cell Advancements” with Ali Mohamed of Immatics Biotechnologies, Boro Dropulic of Miltenyi Biotec, Peter Olagunju of Bluebird Bio, and Heidi Hagen of Vineti Inc. Together, the panelists discussed the future of CAR-T and personalized medicine and the impact of the environment and other variables on these processes.

“We feel it is important to control the variable of air when working with living cells as airborne pathogens have defined cytotoxic effects on the success of the cell culture,” said Dr. Worrilow. “We are in numerous discussions with companies that have increasing interest in learning how air might be impacting the cellular and clinical metrics achieved in their facilities.”

If you would like to learn more about our data, research or solutions’ technology—or if your company would like to continue discussions at a deeper level—please contact us to arrange a webinar or visit. We would be happy to schedule an exploratory conversation with your team.

We look forward to continued discussions and to seeing you at next year’s InterPhex!