The global impact of COVID-19 on our lives has been profound at virtually every level. Personally, professionally, politically, and economically, the pandemic impacts our lives, our relationships, and how we conduct business. We begin and end the day with the latest news on SARS-CoV-2, and up-to-the-minute COVID-19 data. In between, we must surmount any number of newfound challenges because we support the physicians and healthcare providers who are still responsible for the treatments or treating patients with all the morbidities that pre-dated this coronavirus pandemic.“The Force Awakens”With respect for the mandates of social distancing and stay-at-home, ISCT Paris 2020 VIRTUAL opened with the Global Showcase on COVID-19, Part I, “The Force Awakens.” Speakers presented SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, reports from physicians on the front lines in Italy and New York, and challenges to supply chains. Among the challenges noted were scheduling patients to receive cell therapies, transporting cell therapies to the clinical site, and new guidance for the use of cryopreservation to mitigate the risk, now compounded, for delivering fresh cells to the patient.“New Hope”ISCT Paris 2020 VIRTUAL closed with the Global Showcase on COVID-19, Part II, “A New Hope.” The speakers presented mechanistic, pre-clinical, and clinical data with the use of mesenchymal stromal cells leading up to MSCs from several different sources used to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients.CDCs for Severe COVID-19An article recently added to BioLife Solutions’ Evidence library by Siddarth Singh et al., cites the use of BioLife Solutions’ CryoStor® CS10 and HypoThermosol® in the manufacture of CAP-1002, cardiosphere-derived cells, used to treat six patients severely ill with COVID-19 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.Singh, S., Chakravarty, T., Chen, P., Akhmerov, A., Falk, J., Friedman, O., Zaman, T., Ebinger, J. E., Gheorghiu, M., Marbán, L., Marbán, E. and Makkar, R. R. Allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells (CAP-1002) in critically ill COVID-19 patients: compassionate-use case series. Basic Research In Cardiology. 2020; 115(4). doi: 10.1007/s00395-020-0795-1The authors explained that similar to MSCs, CDCs demonstrate immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Paracrine factor secretion by CDCs may be more effective than by MSCs. Given that CAP-1002 has previously been safely administered to more than 200 patients in clinical trials, the authors evaluated the safety and impact of intravenous administration of allogeneic CAP-1002 CDCs to treat six critically ill COVID-19 patients under an FDA approved compassionate use protocol. To deliver a dose of 150 million cells, CAP-1002 CDCs were cryopreserved in a 10 mL volume containing 50% CryoStor CS10 (v/v), 40% (v/v) HypoThermosol, and 10% (v/v) human albumin. Prior to use, the contents of each vial were diluted in 40 mL of 5% HSA for IV administration.BioLife Solutions applauds ISCT Paris 2020 VIRTUAL, that despite the short notice, delivered compelling presentations and discussions, and because of short notice, will continue to be accessible throughout the coming year. BioLife is proud to be a sponsor, attendee, and exhibitor during ISCT Paris 2020 VIRTUAL. If you were unable to attend, please visit us on the web at www.BioLifeSolutions.com.What can BioLife do for me?Given the lessons we are learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, shouldn’t you be using cryopreservation as a tool to protect against loss of precious patient cells? In this environment when scheduling is fluid and especially challenging, cryopreservation can save cells that might otherwise be lost.Cryopreservation newly mandated but you do not have a protocol? Consult our cryopreservation experts! Ask the Scientists!BioLife Solutions has expanded our portfolio of cell and gene therapy tools originating with best-in-class CryoStor and HypoThermosol biopreservation media, with the acquisition of Astero Bio Corporation, Custom Biogenic Systems, and SAVSU Technologies.BioLife’s ThawSTAR CB delivers first-of-its-kind automated ThawSTAR technology for water-free thawing of cells frozen in 25 mL to 1000 mL cryobags. View the ThawSTAR CB video here! The ThawSTAR product lineup includes ThawSTAR systems for cells frozen in vials: CFT1.5 (1.5 mL cryovials), CFT2 (1.8 – 2.0 mL cryovials), and AT6 (6.0 mL AT-Closed Vial®). How do you handle temperature-sensitive frozen biosamples? Check out the BioT line of transporters (ULT, LN2) and the ULT Mobile Workstation.Need a controlled rate freezer? Consider Custom Biogenic Systems Series 2101 Controlled Rate Freezers. For storing cells frozen in vapor-phase liquid nitrogen, CBS’ line of Isothermal Liquid Nitrogen Freezers (patented) maximizes storage space while minimizing chances of cross-contamination.Ship your cell and gene therapies in evo® DV-4 and DV-10 liquid nitrogen dry vapor smart shippers developed by SAVSU Technologies. The evo system features the most advanced smart containers and Software-as-a-Service technologies that enable specialty couriers to offer a higher level of service to you and those you serve.Need more information?Visit our website at www.biolifesolutions.com. Search our Evidence Library. Ask the Scientists. To place an order or request more information, call us today! 1.866.6543 (toll-free in North America) or direct: 1.425.402.1400.
