ViroCell and AvenCell Partner on Retroviral Vector Manufacturing for Next-Gen CAR-T Blood Cancer Therapies

ViroCell Biologics, a specialist viral vector CDMO for cell and gene therapy clinical trials, has announced a strategic manufacturing collaboration with AvenCell Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing allogeneic switchable CAR-T cell therapies. The collaboration marks the successful delivery of a retroviral vector for AVC-203, AvenCell’s latest investigational therapy targeting B cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

AVC-203, a dual-targeted CD19/CD20 CAR-T therapy, is designed as an “off-the-shelf” allogeneic treatment, aiming to improve access, reduce manufacturing complexity, and eliminate delays associated with autologous therapies. Engineered to overcome graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and immune rejection, AVC-203 also incorporates AvenCell’s proprietary RevCAR™ receptor, enabling “on/off” control and expanded antigen targeting.

The retroviral vector manufactured by ViroCell will be used in the production of AVC-203, which is expected to enter first-in-human Phase I trials in the second half of 2025 for patients with relapsed or refractory B cell lymphoma.

ViroCell was selected for its expertise in high-yield vector production and ability to deliver complex manufacturing solutions at speed. By integrating a cell line acquired by AvenCell into its GMP-compliant process, ViroCell met accelerated development timelines and demonstrated its capacity to support cutting-edge allogeneic CAR-T programs.

John W. Hadden II, CEO of ViroCell, stated, “We are proud to support AvenCell in advancing their next-generation CAR-T therapies. Delivering this retroviral vector on an aggressive timeline showcases ViroCell’s ability to execute in high-stakes, complex manufacturing scenarios.”

Andrew Schiermeier, Ph.D., CEO of AvenCell, added, “ViroCell delivered exactly what we needed — on time and at the required quality. This collaboration strengthens our confidence as we move AVC-203 toward clinical trials and continue to scale our platform.”

The partnership reflects the growing demand for agile, high-performance CDMO services to advance innovative cell therapies in oncology and autoimmune diseases.