Trenchant BioSystems Inc., a developer of manufacturing platforms for gene‑modified cell therapies, has signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Invetech to form a strategic alliance aimed at advancing Trenchant’s AutoCell system from a semi‑automated prototype to a fully automated commercial product.

The agreement outlines plans for Invetech to conduct a technical review of Trenchant’s existing AutoCell Alpha prototype. A definitive partnership contract is expected to follow the review. Early testing data indicates the AutoCell platform could produce gene‑modified cells at yields up to seven times higher than current technologies, allowing therapeutic doses to be manufactured directly from units of whole blood.

According to the companies, the completed system is intended to fully automate end‑to‑end cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing and streamline production workflows. Trenchant says the platform may be able to reduce vein‑to‑vein timelines—from patient collection to reinfusion—from as long as six weeks to approximately 2.5 days.

Under the proposed terms, Invetech would provide engineering resources and manufacturing capabilities, complementing Trenchant’s scientific oversight to bring the AutoCell platform to market. Invetech has decades of experience in cell‑therapy product development and manufacturing and has worked with tool providers, CDMOs and large pharmaceutical companies.

“Current cell and gene therapy manufacturing practices are too time consuming and costly to actually deliver therapies to 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.”

“We are excited by the potential of Trenchant’s AutoCell platform to address manufacturing issues that persist in the CGT industry and enable more patients to access life-saving medicines. We are now seeking to collaborate together to bring this breakthrough product to the CGT market and deliver a solution that will transform the sector,” said Andreas Knaack, CEO, Invetech.

The letter of intent is nonbinding, and the companies said they intend to negotiate definitive agreements that will outline the scope and rights of the partnership.

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