ABEC Unveils Breakthrough Single-Use Bioreactor for Cell Therapy
ABEC, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing solutions for the biotechnology industry, has announced the launch of its Advanced Therapy Bioreactor (ATB™)—a next-generation system that represents a major breakthrough in cell therapy manufacturing. Designed to overcome the limitations of existing technologies, the ATB™ offers unprecedented control, scalability, and efficiency for growing sensitive cell types critical to advanced therapies.
With this innovation, ABEC is reimagining cell culture systems by introducing a bioreactor that mimics the natural conditions of the human body, allowing for healthier, more viable cell expansion from early development to commercial-scale production.
A New Standard in Cell Culture Engineering
Unlike traditional bioreactors, which rely on bubbles and mechanical stirring to mix cells and deliver nutrients, the ATB™ uses vibration-based mixing and diffusion-driven nutrient and gas exchange. This novel approach avoids the physical stress caused by agitation and bubbling—conditions that often damage fragile cells like T cells, stem cells, and other primary lines used in cell therapy.
At the heart of the ATB™ system is a proprietary network of hollow-fiber membranes that function much like human blood vessels. These membranes allow for localized nutrient delivery and waste removal, ensuring each cell is maintained in an optimal microenvironment. This setup mimics the human circulatory system, making the process more natural and conducive to high-quality cell growth.
The system operates as a closed, fully automated process, reducing the risk of contamination and minimizing operator intervention. It also enables seamless integration into current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) facilities, making it suitable for use in both research settings and commercial production.
Consistent Performance Across All Scales
One of the most notable advantages of the ATB™ is its ability to scale seamlessly while maintaining consistent process conditions. Whether working with a small 0.2-liter benchtop model or scaling up to a 10-liter production unit, the system preserves the same surface area-to-volume ratio for its hollow-fiber membranes. This consistency allows researchers and manufacturers to move from lab-scale experiments to full-scale manufacturing without having to re-optimize their processes at each step.
Extensive testing of the ATB™ has shown impressive results across a wide range of cell types. The system has achieved high cell densities and demonstrated effectiveness in culturing primary T cells, CD34+ stem cells, and widely used cell lines like HEK293 and CHO cells. These results underscore the system’s versatility and potential to address the diverse needs of the rapidly growing cell and gene therapy sector.
Industry Impact and Future Potential
Scott Pickering, CEO of ABEC, emphasized the importance of the ATB™ in advancing the field of cell therapy manufacturing.
“The launch of the ATB™ marks another milestone in ABEC’s 50-year history of innovation in bioprocessing,” said Pickering. “Just as our solutions have enabled the production of leading recombinant protein therapies, the ATB™ is poised to meet the unique demands of advanced therapies. It will significantly accelerate our partners’ ability to move from clinical development to commercialization.”
As the demand for cell-based therapies continues to rise, manufacturers are increasingly challenged by the need for more flexible, scalable, and efficient production platforms. The ATB™ directly addresses these challenges, offering a solution that aligns with both current needs and future growth.
About ABEC
Founded in 1974, ABEC has long been a trusted partner to many of the world’s top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The company is known for delivering custom-engineered process solutions and manufacturing services that support the development and production of life-saving therapies.
ABEC’s offerings span the full spectrum of bioprocessing—from early design and equipment manufacturing to full facility installation and lifecycle support. The company is especially known for its turnkey biomanufacturing solutions, which help clients reduce total cost and time to market while maximizing operational efficiency.
With its combination of deep industry expertise, flexible service models, and customer-centric approach, ABEC continues to set the standard in bioprocessing innovation. The launch of the ATB™ reaffirms the company’s commitment to enabling the future of medicine—one scalable solution at a time.
