Cell therapy: cGMP facilities and manufacturing

Advanced therapies constitute one of the most complex, organizational, and regulatory areas currently approached by clinical researchers in order to explore new therapeutic applications. Basic scientists and clinicians trying to implement cell therapies into clinical practice, may feel overwhelmed by the apparently endless regulatory requirements that apply. However, regulatory agencies have primary responsibility on patient safety and law enforcement are, and should be, their main considerations. Cell- and tissue-based therapies have the potential to treat many conditions, where present conventional treatments are inadequate. The current approach to cell- and tissue-based therapy development requires using good manufacturing production facilities through master and working cell banks. Facilities need to be purpose-designed and accredited by their national medicinal regulatory body and production scientists need to work in close tandem with quality assurances and ethics committees to absolutely ensure the safety of this cellular products.