Revolutionizing Sample Storage With Hypothermic Preservation
Ambient biopreservation could reduce costs, emissions and cryodamage, transforming pharma logistics and cell therapy.
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Traditional cryopreservation has long been the gold standard for preserving biological materials, but its limitations are becoming increasingly apparent. Ultra-cold storage comes with high costs, complex supply chains and the risk of shipment failures due to customs delays or temperature fluctuations. The process itself can also cause cellular damage.
Atelerix’s hydrogel-based technology offers an alternative, stabilizing biological samples at ambient temperatures without freezing. Technology Networks spoke with Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix, to explore how their hypothermic preservation technology is transforming biopreservation. Carrington discusses the benefits of the technology, its impact on pharmaceutical supply chains and its use in a first-in-human study for ocular cell therapy.
How does hypothermic preservation technology keep samples stable at ambient temperatures?
Alastair Carrington (AC):
At 37°C (body temperature), cells are metabolically active with a fluid membrane. As temperature decreases (hypothermia) below 32°C, cells enter a state of hibernation but are susceptible to membrane damage and subsequent death.
Our gels stabilize cell membrane integrity by physically encapsulating the cells, allowing samples to be held at room or refrigerated temperatures for extended periods. Fresh cells, cell models, tissues and viruses can be stored for up to two weeks without the need to freeze.
We have five core product ranges that have been optimized for specific biosample types:
- CytoStor – suspended and adherent cells and viruses.
- BloodReady – for whole blood
- LeukoStor – for leukapheresis material
- WellReady – for plated models (cells, organoids and microtissues in multi-well plates)
- TissueReady – for primary tissues, micro-tissues, organoids and spheroids
KR:
How does this method of biopreservation address the limitations of traditional cryopreservation methods?
AC:
Cryologistics is a broken system. Freeze-thaw cycles slash biosample viability, customs delays ruin shipments, costs are sky-high, and the process relies on toxic chemicals and hazardous liquid nitrogen. This results in wasted samples, drained research budgets and a staggering environmental toll. Almost every scientist will suffer shipment anxiety when using traditional cryologistic methods!
Our technology enables researchers to de-escalate shipping protocols – cutting costs by up to 10 times, slashing 99.7% of carbon emissions and ensuring biosamples/bioproducts arrive ready to use with full viability and function intact.
This isn’t just logistics; it’s liberation. More funding stays in science, fewer projects are derailed by shipping failures and we collectively take a step towards a greener, smarter future.
KR:
How could the technology improve the supply chain in pharmaceutical research?
AC:
By eliminating the built-in costs and inefficiencies of the ultra-cold chain, our technology streamlines pharmaceutical research logistics in three key ways:
- Faster timelines and fewer delays. Complex cell models, sensitive cells and ready-to-use assays can be shipped without the constraints of cryologistics.
- Reducing animal use. These advanced models can be shipped as reliable, off-the-shelf products rather than requiring costly, service-based solutions.
- Higher quality, more reliable samples. Next-generation assays demand consistency. By removing shipping artifacts, we ensure samples arrive in peak condition, ready for immediate use.
This isn’t just an efficiency upgrade. It’s a fundamental shift ensuring pharmaceutical research is faster, more cost-effective, more ethical and scientifically superior.
As researchers take their products into the clinic and then successfully launch new bio-based products, we will also see the same for medicines – particularly in the cell and gene therapy space.
KR:
Can you share any examples of how the hydrogel is currently being used?
AC:
Our hydrogels work on anything with a lipid membrane, which means most biological entities! This means they can be widely adopted as the primary shipping method for anyone working with biospecimens in research, development and diagnostics.
The most prolific users of our technology include:
- Biotech and pharma companies conducting drug discovery research
- Biosample requisition companies facilitating the supply of high-quality biological materials
- Cell and cell model suppliers ensuring consistent, ready-to-use samples
- Contract research organizations managing clinical trial sample logistics
While each sector has its nuances, the benefits remain the same: lower costs, improved sample quality, greater efficiency and enhanced workflow flexibility. Our hydrogels aren’t just preserving biosamples; they’re transforming the way they move through the supply chain.
KR:
Are there any plans to expand the applications of the technology beyond current uses?
AC:
We’re seeing a lot more inquiries from cell and gene therapy companies.
Cell and gene therapy products are highly sensitive to cryopreservation and logistics failures. Atelerix’s hydrogels eliminate these bottlenecks, ensuring viability, functionality and flexibility without the risks of ultra-cold storage.
Our hydrogels address several key challenges by:
- Eliminating cryopreservation damage: Avoids freeze-thaw cycles that compromise cell viability and therapeutic efficacy.
- Enhancing cell viability and recovery: Maintains cells in a natural, ready-to-use state without the shock of thawing.
- Simplifying logistics and reducing costs: Enables ambient temperature transport, cutting shipping costs by up to 10 times.
- Improving supply chain flexibility: Removes just-in-time thawing constraints, allowing greater workflow control.
- Expanding access to cell and gene therapies: Eliminates cold-chain dependency, making treatments more widely accessible.
Atelerix is supporting its pharma customers with the evaluation of cell and gene workflows and identifying improvements throughout the supply chain.
The most advanced customer using our tech in this space has already completed their first-in-human study (Phase 0/I) using our hydrogels to support the topical delivery of an ocular cell therapy.
Ultimately, the aim is to achieve more scalable, cost-effective and accessible cell and gene therapies for all manufacturers.
