Collaboration to strengthen South Korea’s cell and gene therapy workforce

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s KBIOHealth to jointly develop workforce training initiatives aimed at enhancing cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration will leverage Terumo BCT’s advanced technologies, including the Quantum Flex™ Cell Expansion System and Finia™ Fill and Finish System, to provide cutting-edge training for CGT manufacturing, with a focus on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.

South Korea has emerged as a leader in CGT innovation, with more than 14 Ministry of Food and Drug Safety-approved therapies, including three MSC treatments. However, the rapidly growing demand for CGT has placed significant pressure on the workforce, requiring specialised skills to manage complex manufacturing processes. KBIOHealth, a South Korean public institution focused on advancing biomedical infrastructure, is addressing this need by offering biopharma job training programs since 2022 and aims to drive the growth of the CGT sector in Korea and beyond by standardising workforce development.

The collaboration will focus on the development of an advanced training centre that will open next year, designed to expand access to CGT-specific training. The centre will provide hands-on education in automated manufacturing workflows developed around Terumo BCT’s systems. The comprehensive curriculum will include training on good manufacturing practices (GMP)-based cell therapy manufacturing, quality control, human-derived cell culture, and bioreactor usage. The use of Virtual Reality (VR) training will also enable participants to gain real-world experience in a controlled, simulated environment.

As part of the collaboration, KBIOHealth will continue to provide training on the Quantum Flex platform, which has become a leading bioreactor for MSC manufacturing. The platform is currently used in clinical trials across five countries. Terumo BCT’s holistic CGT ecosystem, which includes Quantum Flex, Finia, and the Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System, will provide valuable insights into the standardisation of complex therapies like CAR T-cell therapies and support workforce development.

Myung-soo Lee, Chairman of KBIOHealth, stated: “Our goal is to build a solid foundation for global regenerative medicine and drive meaningful advancements through collaboration with Terumo BCT. Their strong commitment to workforce training and their innovative R&D pipeline offer tremendous opportunities for knowledge transfer, expanding the reach of cell therapy technologies.”

Veerle d'Haenens, General Manager of Global Therapy Innovations at Terumo BCT, added: “We are proud to support the growth of Korea’s CGT industry and enhance our contributions to cell therapy manufacturing. This MOU marks a significant milestone in our partnership with KBIOHealth, and we are excited to collaborate on the development of the skilled workforce that will drive the success of CGT therapies in Korea and globally.”