Access remains one of the most pressing challenges facing advanced cell therapies. A recent AABB News feature examines that challenge through the collaboration between BBG Advanced Therapies and Kite, a Gilead Company, to explore expanded access to CAR T-cell therapies across Texas through BBG Advanced Therapies’ Mobile Leukapheresis Center.
According to the feature, only an estimated two in 10 eligible patients in the United States receive CAR T-cell therapy today. For some patients, the barrier is not simply whether an innovative therapy exists—it is whether they can realistically reach the infrastructure required to receive it.That challenge is particularly relevant in Texas.
AABB News highlights the long distances some patients and caregivers may need to travel to reach authorized treatment centers, adding time, expense and logistical complexity to an already demanding treatment journey.
Bringing Collection Closer
BBG Advanced Therapies developed its Mobile Leukapheresis Center to help rethink that model.
The self-contained mobile center includes two collection stations and a testing laboratory and is designed to bring cell collection capabilities closer to patients.
Through the collaboration highlighted by AABB, the organizations are exploring how mobile leukapheresis could help reduce geographic and systemic barriers associated with CAR T-cell therapy. The idea reflects a principle that guides our work at BBG Advanced Therapies: access. We believe advancing cell and gene therapy requires more than scientific innovation alone. It requires finding solutions to the clinical, commercial and systemic obstacles that can prevent innovation from reaching patients.
The Power of Collaboration
The AABB News feature also demonstrates why collaboration is essential. Advanced therapies depend on a highly connected ecosystem.
Treatment centers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, collection organizations, testing laboratories and manufacturing partners each contribute critical expertise.
When those capabilities are aligned around a shared goal, we can begin finding new ways to solve longstanding challenges.
Our mission is to save and enhance lives through the healing power of human cells and tissue. Expanding access to advanced therapies is one important way we can put that mission into motion.
We encourage you to read the full AABB News feature for a closer look at the collaboration, the Mobile Leukapheresis Center and how new collection models could help shape the future of CAR T-cell therapy access. We’re grateful to AABB for helping bring attention to this important conversation—and to the collaborators across our field who continue asking what we can do differently to help more patients benefit from scientific progress.
Access the full AABB feature here Building Partnerships to Expand Access to Cell Therapies
