Moonlight Bio Awarded G-Rex® Grant by ScaleReady
In a significant move for cancer therapy development, Moonlight Bio has been awarded a G-Rex® Grant through a collaboration involving ScaleReady, Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, and Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH). This grant is set to expedite the process development and IND-enabling studies for Moonlight Bio's lead CAR T cell therapy, aimed at treating solid tumors.
Expressing gratitude for the grant, Dr. Jordan Jarjour, Chief Scientific Officer at Moonlight Bio stated, "We are grateful to receive a G-Rex Grant to support the advancement of our lead CAR T asset into the clinic in a platform that is cost effective and scalable. This mechanism provides access to expertise and a highly efficient manufacturing platform that saves significant time and costs for biotechnology companies." This sentiment underlines the partnership's potential impact on accelerating critical cancer therapies.
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Wolf Manufacturing and co-inventor of G-Rex remarked, "I'm confident that Moonlight Bio will quickly find out that ScaleReady's expertise and the G-Rex Grant Program will preserve the two most precious commodities for any cell therapy entity, time and money." This partnership aims for a streamlined pathway from research to clinical application.
Innovative Technology for Enhanced T Cell Therapies
Moonlight Bio is leveraging cutting-edge technology derived from a recent article in Nature, authored by their scientific co-founders, Dr. Kole Roybal and Dr. Jaehyuk Choi. This study details a pioneering approach to enhance engineered T cell therapies by incorporating naturally occurring mutations found in T cell malignancies. By exploring various mutations from T cell neoplasms, they discovered that utilizing these natural mutations could lead to significant advancements in T cell therapy.
The G-Rex Grant’s Benefits for Moonlight Bio
The grant will grant Moonlight Bio access to a commercially viable manufacturing platform specifically for CAR T cell therapies. Additionally, the G-Rex Grant may assist in covering costs tied to validation runs that support the IND-enabling studies for Moonlight's primary CAR T asset. The partnership also provides Moonlight with Bio-Techne's innovative closed system reagent solutions, ProPak™ and GMP Cytokines, aimed at streamlining cytokine delivery.
Support Services for Comprehensive Development
Furthermore, Moonlight Bio can benefit from a complimentary analysis of their master manufacturing batch records by CellReady, a pioneer in G-Rex centric contract development and manufacturing. This analysis is designed to ensure the commercial viability of their manufacturing process, adding an additional layer of support for Moonlight’s upcoming advancements.
ScaleReady’s Commitment to Cell and Gene Therapy
ScaleReady’s G-Rex Grant Program is part of a larger $20 million initiative focused on enhancing the field of cell and gene-modified cell therapy (CGT). The program is designed to award individual grants of up to $300,000, helping companies like Moonlight Bio bring innovative therapies to market faster. Recipients also access exclusive support from a consortium of G-Rex Grant Partners, providing tools and technologies that are essential for cGMP manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
For more information on the G-Rex Grant Program, interested parties can reach out for more details.
About ScaleReady and Its Impact on CGT
ScaleReady specializes in creating scalable and effective manufacturing platforms tailored for cell and gene-modified cell therapy development. The G-Rex platform is currently used by over 800 organizations, contributing to approximately 50% of CGT clinical trials and five commercially approved CGT drugs. Biotechnology enterprises can anticipate substantial time and cost savings, significantly accelerating their journey towards commercialization.
About Moonlight Bio, Inc.
Moonlight Bio, Inc. is a preclinical-stage biotechnology firm concentrated on developing enhanced T cell therapies to provide hope for patients battling cancer. Their innovative technologies aim to confront the challenge of achieving potent therapies for solid tumors, overcoming the limitations of current treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G-Rex® Grant?
The G-Rex® Grant is a funding initiative designed to support companies in developing cell and gene-modified therapies, providing access to a range of resources and technologies.
How will this grant benefit Moonlight Bio’s CAR T therapy?
The grant will expedite the process development and IND-enabling studies for Moonlight Bio’s CAR T cell therapy, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Who are the partners involved in awarding the G-Rex Grant?
The G-Rex Grant was awarded through a collaboration between ScaleReady, Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, and Bio-Techne Corporation.
What technology is Moonlight Bio leveraging?
Moonlight Bio is utilizing unique approaches derived from recent scientific studies to enhance engineered T cell therapies, targeting solid tumors.
What is ScaleReady’s goal with the G-Rex Grant Program?
ScaleReady aims to advance the development of cell and gene-modified therapies by providing financial support and resources to innovative biotechnology companies.
