Year: 2010-11

Company: Celgene Cellular Therapeutics

Liaison(s): Brooke Raphael, Sascha Abramson, Brian Murphy

Celgene Cellular Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing new therapies to improve patients’ lives worldwide. In recent years, the company has performed ground-breaking research into clinical applications of human placental-derived stem cells. This TMP was contracted to design and develop an injectable cellular therapeutic utilizing these cells, with final recommendations for a delivery system, formulation of cells, and disease indications accompanied by supporting results and models. The goals of the TMP were divided into three phases. In phase I, the team performed a market and competitive analysis for current cellular therapies. A database and companion report were produced to address key indicators, which encompassed disease indication, competitors, clinical trials, cell source, autologous vs. allogeneic, and delivery mechanisms. A major highlight was the creation of the Decision Rubric, a mathematical program that utilizes selected criteria to rank top disease markets for cellular therapies. In phase II, the team switched focus to the technical side by researching formulations and delivery designs. Final recommendations addressed trophic support, excipients, antioxidants, cryopreservation, and stem cell delivery systems. In phase III, the team identified a specific cell targeting agent for experimental testing. Our sampling of experiments included viability, cell attachment, and agitation studies. To support our research, the team constructed a mathematical model to determine optimal conditions for viability and cell attachment.