ABEC Unveils Advanced Therapy Bioreactor (ATB™): A Game-Changing Solution for Scalable Cell Therapy Manufacturing
ABEC, a recognized global leader in providing engineered process solutions and services for biotech manufacturing, has introduced its latest innovation—the Advanced Therapy Bioreactor (ATB™). With this launch, the company sets a new benchmark in bioprocessing technology tailored specifically for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), which include cutting-edge cell and gene therapies. The ATB™ is poised to redefine the landscape of cell culture, offering a novel platform that bridges the gap between research-scale and commercial-scale manufacturing.
As the demand for advanced therapies continues to grow, so too does the need for robust, scalable, and tightly controlled bioreactor systems capable of handling the unique complexities of cell-based products. Current manufacturing technologies often fall short in delivering the necessary performance, especially for delicate and highly variable cell types. ABEC’s ATB™ directly addresses these challenges, offering a transformative solution with advanced engineering and unmatched process control.
A Revolutionary Approach to Cell Culture
What sets the ATB™ apart from traditional bioreactor systems is its fundamental design philosophy: instead of adapting legacy stirred-tank bioreactors for new therapeutic applications, ABEC has built the ATB™ from the ground up, specifically to support the growth and expansion of sensitive human cells used in ATMPs.
At the heart of the ATB™ is a proprietary network of hollow fiber membranes that emulate the function of the human circulatory system. This unique structure facilitates localized nutrient delivery and efficient waste removal, which in turn creates microenvironments optimized for cellular health and proliferation. Unlike conventional systems that rely on bubbles or mechanical agitation—methods that can induce shear stress and damage delicate cells—the ATB™ employs oscillation-based mixing along with diffusion-driven gas and nutrient transfer. This gentle, controlled environment is ideal for maintaining cell viability and ensuring reproducible outcomes.
The system is designed as a closed, fully automated, single-use platform, which greatly reduces the risk of contamination and minimizes operator involvement. These features make the ATB™ highly attractive for clinical and commercial use, where sterility, traceability, and process consistency are critical.
Seamless Scalability from Development to Commercialization
One of the most persistent issues in cell therapy manufacturing is the difficulty of scaling processes from small lab-scale volumes to production-scale bioreactors without compromising performance. ABEC’s ATB™ addresses this with a consistent design architecture across all volume scales—ranging from 0.2 liters to 10 liters. A constant ratio between the hollow fiber surface area and the bioreactor volume is maintained, which ensures that culture conditions remain uniform throughout the scale-up process.
This design allows therapy developers to translate their lab-scale results directly to manufacturing environments with minimal process adaptation. It also opens the door for faster development timelines, as the need for reoptimization at each new scale is greatly reduced.
In extensive performance testing, the ATB™ has demonstrated the ability to sustain high cell densities and viabilities across a range of cell types, including primary T-cells, CD34+ stem cells, HEK293, and CHO cell lines. This versatility positions the bioreactor as a potential platform of choice for both autologous and allogeneic therapies.
Meeting the Demands of a Growing Industry
The global market for ATMPs is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by breakthroughs in immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and gene editing. However, manufacturing remains one of the primary bottlenecks in bringing these therapies to market. The introduction of ABEC’s ATB™ directly responds to this need by offering a robust, scalable, and GMP-compliant platform designed specifically for advanced therapies.
“The ATB™ introduction is another milestone in ABEC’s 50-year history of bioprocess innovation,” said Scott Pickering, CEO of ABEC. “Similar to our solutions for recombinant protein manufacturing, the ATB™ promises to address the most difficult challenges in advanced therapy manufacturing and accelerate our partners’ time to clinic and market.”
Indeed, the ATB™ represents a continuation of ABEC’s long-standing commitment to solving bioprocessing challenges through innovation. The company has earned a reputation for developing bespoke solutions that meet the specific needs of each client—a philosophy that is clearly evident in the design of the ATB™.
Designed for GMP Manufacturing
In addition to its technical innovations, the ATB™ is built with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance in mind. The single-use design supports aseptic processing and minimizes cleaning validation requirements, while the closed system reduces contamination risk and simplifies facility integration.
ABEC’s extensive experience in designing and delivering turnkey bioprocessing systems is a further advantage for therapy developers looking to move quickly from lab to clinic. From system design and installation to validation and lifecycle support, ABEC provides end-to-end expertise that ensures a smooth transition through every stage of manufacturing.
Broader Implications for the Cell Therapy Ecosystem
The implications of ABEC’s ATB™ reach beyond individual therapy developers. As the biopharmaceutical industry increasingly shifts toward personalized and precision medicine, the need for flexible and scalable manufacturing platforms becomes paramount. Technologies like the ATB™ could become foundational infrastructure for contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), hospital-based manufacturing units, and biotech startups developing next-generation therapies.
Moreover, by enabling higher cell yields, greater process consistency, and simplified scale-up, the ATB™ has the potential to reduce the overall cost of goods associated with cell therapies—one of the key obstacles to widespread patient access.
About ABEC
Founded in 1974, ABEC has long been a trusted partner to the global biotech industry. The company specializes in delivering custom-engineered process solutions and support services for biomanufacturing. ABEC’s customers include the majority of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies, many of whom rely on ABEC equipment and expertise to produce today’s most important therapies.
ABEC’s integrated approach—spanning design, manufacturing, installation, and ongoing support—offers clients the advantage of working with a single, experienced partner. Whether expanding capacity, upgrading existing facilities, or launching new therapies, ABEC provides solutions that reduce time to market and maximize operational efficiency.
With a track record of delivering high-quality, reliable systems and a forward-looking approach to innovation, ABEC remains at the forefront of bioprocess technology.
