CARMA panel discussion: How can we best transform academic innovation into scalable industrial processes? Part 3

Academic-industrial relationships, what academic laboratories can learn from industrial experts.

How can we best transform academic innovation into scalable industrial processes?

The panel discussion offered perspectives from companies working to bring cultivated meat, fish, fat and dairy to consumers. The aim was to inspire early career researchers and demystify research in this industry to highlight and encourage transitions in both directions between academia and industry. The ultimate goal was to aid in shortening the timeframe to impact on sustainability and science and increase the success of the CARMA project by widening the consultative network.

The panel discussion focused on key issues in the cultured meat sector; the current regulatory framework, cell and growth factor selection and academic-industrial relationships.

This blog focuses on academic-industrial relationships what academic laboratories can learn from industrial experts. Read the other blogs for more insights.

The panel was led by Catherine Elton, CEO of Qkine who was joined by Jon Dempsey, expert in biological medicines process development and regulation, Yennifer Cortes Araya, Head of Cultivated R&D at Uncommon and Prithvi Kodialbail, Chief Technology Officer at Extracellular.

How can academics and industry work together? Should I feel cautious in sharing my research with industry?

‘Organizations like CARMA are proactively trying to join up academics and industry so we can have these conversations and share knowledge. A lot of companies are happy to share none core- IP ideas with academic groups. I feel there is a misconception about lack of transparency and if we can get together in the right room and have conversations there is a lot of dialog which can happen between industry and academics, start-ups and NGOs. In cultivated meat we are seeing that and, in that way, it’s different to the biomedical industry. We’re trying to do things differently for everyone’s benefit and it’s up to all in the room to push this forward.’ Catherine Elton.

The CARMA (Cellular AgRiculture MAnufacturing) Hub is an EPSRC-funded transdisciplinary seven-year project focused on developing novel approaches to making food products. Their vision is for a just transition to environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable food systems. Their mission is the integration of transdisciplinary responsible approaches, for novel cellular agriculture tools and technologies, into current food systems, to deliver sustainable food manufacturing in the UK and beyond. Led by the University of Bath, this multidisciplinary project also includes colleagues from the University of Birmingham, University of Aberystwyth, University College London and the Royal Agricultural University, as well as a range of industrial partners.

‘Companies aren’t looking to go into academia and take their ideas without recognizing their value, we want that innovation and support from academia.’ Jon Dempsey.

‘These opportunities are important to those who work in industry and that’s why we are here today to build a network. There are ways to collaborate and protect IP so everyone can benefit. Sometimes there are limitations on things like cell lines, but there are conversations that can be had. There are also opportunities for students to enter industry to learn and develop.’ Yennifer Cortes Araya.

Industry experts’ advice for academic labs

What should research laboratories consider when they are designing the details of their work packages?

‘Cell stability and data quality are critical—when you generate a cell line, you can’t predict the changes it may undergo 10 years down the line. However, with reliable data records and traceable processes, a cell line can accomplish remarkable things. Over time, I’ve learned the importance of building a data trail strong enough to trace every stage, all the way back to the original primary cell line isolated from the animal, ensuring complete traceability. In food production, trustworthiness is essential, and I strongly recommend that students and everyone in this sector prioritise data quality and meticulous record-keeping.’ Yennifer Cortes Araya.

What would be your key recommendations for supply chain design in an academic setting?

‘The supply chain is about data quality and documentation and traceability. When generating a cell line or validating a raw material, especially if it is animal derived or a natural product, note down lot numbers and batch numbers so people can go back and check. Regulators will need very detailed information and will need to be able to go back and get certification from the manufacturers. In this sector, there is a need for an extra level of documentation, and this should be built into the output of your research. 10 years down the line I’ve looked into a process, and nobody know why things have been done a certain way, you can’t write too much, just document everything.’ Jon Dempsey.

What is the one bit of knowledge you wish everybody would have?

‘When you receive a tube of growth factor, it is not the same depending on which supplier or which lot you get it from, have a lot of skepticism if you are trying to compare processes or make conclusions around the quality of that cell or media, because you can’t necessarily ensure consistency on what’s in the tube. Particularly if you are scaling processes, it’s essential to have incoming QC of your reagents. My focus is growth factors, but the same applies to antibodies, media and plastics – record lot numbers and don’t be shy about going back to the supplier if there’s a problem. At Qkine, we’re trying to save research time and stress, we’ve all done PhD’s we know that stress, it’s not always your fault!’ Catherine Elton.

‘Watch out for endotoxins! We regularly are asked to try naturally derived products but when we test them, they are full of endotoxins, which they shouldn’t be, which would have affected how the cells grow. Endotoxins are one a of a number of things which can have an impact on your cell culture. You need to have a high level of consistency on how you handle your cells, what you present to your cells and be aware of things that can affect how your cells grow. Before we test anything we first test for endotoxin and osmolarity, we never take any growth factors on trust, and we test them as they come in.’ Jon Dempsey.

‘Think about scalability, bio-processor engineering is a different scale of science, it’s different to R&D in a lab, on the bench. When you go from growing cells on a flask to larger bioreactor systems, it’s very different and there is a very different engineering and scientific element that comes into play and that’s something I’d want people to be aware of.’ Prithvi Kodialbail.

Panelists

The future of cellular agriculture looks bright, CARMA is bringing together industry leaders and academics in a transdisciplinary approach to deliver sustainable food manufacturing in the UK and beyond.

Qkine, which is partnered with CARMA is a specialist recombinant protein manufacturer has recently launched a range of exceptionally pure, agriculturally relevant species-matched food grade growth factors specifically for use in cellular agriculture. These have been developed with future regulatory novel food dossier preparation in mind under a HACCP food regime in an allergen-free process. Full documentation is available for these products including full raw materials traceability, protein allergen analysis, CoO, CoA, beta-lactam-free and animal origin-free certification.

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