WALTHAM, Mass. — Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has launched a new automated system designed to improve consistency and efficiency in cell therapy manufacturing, addressing long-standing challenges tied to manual production processes.
The Gibco CTS Compleo Fill and Finish System is a functionally closed, automated platform aimed at streamlining formulation and filling steps, which are often among the most complex and variable parts of cell therapy production.
Because many cell therapies are derived from patient cells, manufacturing must account for differences in cell count, concentration, and viability. As therapies move closer to commercialization, manufacturers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce manual handling while maintaining strict standards for sterility, dosing accuracy, and product consistency.
Traditionally, formulation and filling have relied on manual techniques that require careful handling of fragile cells in small volumes, increasing the risk of variability and contamination. Thermo Fisher said its new system reduces these risks by automating key steps and providing a compact, closed solution designed to deliver more consistent batch outcomes.
“We’re excited to bring forward a solution that addresses one of the biggest bottlenecks in cell therapy manufacturing, manual fill and finish,” said Tiffani Manolis, vice president and general manager of cell biology at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “By combining automation with a functionally closed design, the Gibco CTS Compleo system has the ability to streamline workflows, improve consistency and help customers accelerate the delivery of life-changing therapies to patients.”
Early users of the system report improved efficiency and reduced variability in their manufacturing workflows.
“As we continue advancing our cell therapy programs, scalable and automated closed-system manufacturing solutions are a key priority,” said Ryan Zapata, senior process engineer at Arsenal Biosciences Inc. “The Compleo system offers a platform for closed formulation and fill that can be easily integrated into existing autologous cell therapy processes. The intuitive protocol builder software allows for flexibility and rapid iteration in the development environment, enabling use across programs.”
The new system is part of Thermo Fisher’s broader Gibco Cell Therapy Systems portfolio, which includes instruments, consumables, software, and GMP-manufactured media and reagents designed to support closed-system, compliant manufacturing workflows.
Thermo Fisher said it also offers installation, process development, and global service support to help customers implement the system. The CTS Compleo platform and related technologies are expected to be featured at major industry conferences, including the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy and the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy annual meetings in May.
