Expanding Cell- and Gene-Therapy Capability in the U.S.

Driven by its promise to patients, CSL Behring is expanding the company's U.S. hub for cell- and gene-therapy in Pasadena, California, with added lab and office space to enhance innovation. 

The original lab and office space at the Hill site became part of CSL Behring in 2017 upon the acquisition of Calimmune Inc. From 2018 to 2019, the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) cell manufacturing facility and two additional laboratories were added to the site, which is CSL Behring’s first in-house space for cell manufacturing. 

The site is located near leading academic institutions, which creates opportunities for enhanced collaborations and research with leading scientific institutions on the west coast of the United States, such as Seattle Children’s Research Institute in Washington. CSL Behring announced a partnership in 2020 with Seattle Children’s to develop stem-cell gene therapies for primary immunodeficiency diseases, such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and X-linked agammaglobulinemia. 

CSL Behring recently signed a lease to expand operations in the current Hill site. Once complete, the area will add an additional 3,099 square feet and will house additional office and laboratory facilities, which will be used for cell manufacturing product development 

“The establishment of a permanent cell manufacturing process development laboratory at the Hill site will be a major milestone for Pasadena and CSL Behring’s global gene therapy program,” said Angel Jaramillo, Director, Gene Therapy Cellular Manufacturing. “This new facility will provide essential capabilities to accelerate development of our cellular therapy products and facilitate transfer to GMP manufacturing.”  

The new space will enable Pasadena employees to collaborate in a more cohesive environment, creating for smoother workflow while supporting growth. Renovations on the new space are currently underway, and the expanded area is scheduled to be operational by mid-2021. Once complete, the space will add capacity for 15 staff. 

“This is a unique opportunity to plan for our growth,” said Andreas Gille, Executive Director and Pasadena R&D Head. “As a forward-looking organization, we are looking beyond the pandemic to plan for the future and the exciting potential of our cell- and gene-therapy program.”