After signing a nonbinding letter of intent in February, Trenchant BioSystems Inc., a CGT manufacturing platform developer, and Invetech, a global leader in solving complex manufacturing and product development challenges in the advanced therapies and diagnostics markets, have entered into a strategic alliance focused on the continued development of Trenchant’s fully automated AutoCell Platform, intended for future commercialization.

“Current cell and gene therapy manufacturing practices are too time consuming and costly to be scalable to serve large-scale patient populations. Trenchant BioSystems has now released internal and independent data that confirms that its AutoCell product holds the solution to these challenges,” said Jon Ellis, CEO, Trenchant BioSystems. “The alliance will allow Trenchant to leverage Invetech’s expertise to take this prototype solution and release a commercial product in 2027.”

“Trenchant’s AutoCell platform has the potential to help address persistent manufacturing challenges in the CGT industry and, over time, support broader patient access to advanced therapies. Both parties are now focused on bringing this breakthrough platform to the CGT market and deliver a solution that will transform the sector,” said Andreas Knaack, CEO, Invetech. “Trenchant’s AutoCell has the potential to realize the dream of distributed (Point-of-Care) manufacturing, with the additional benefits of significantly reduced COGs, thus enabling accessibility and affordability of treatment for essentially every patient in treatment centers anywhere around the world.”

Under the alliance, Invetech is expected to provide engineering, development, and manufacturing support services. To achieve this, Invetech will utilize its decades of experience in cell and gene therapy, including in-house development and manufacturing. This includes an over 20-year track record of working with tool providers and therapy manufacturers, from early-stage companies and CDMOs to big pharma organizations.

Trenchant currently plans a first phase launch of an early access platform for select partners in early 2027, with full commercial release later in 2027.