The life science group Sartorius has introduced an integrated system for the production and quality control of autologous cell therapies. The modular Eveo Cell Therapy Platform aims to address structural manufacturing bottlenecks that limit scalability and patient access to transformative treatments such as CAR-T therapies. Rene Faber, a member of the Executive Board at Sartorius, stated that cell therapies are redefining medical possibilities but remain accessible to only a small share of patients due to complex, capacity-constrained, and expensive manufacturing. The new platform combines raw materials, production equipment, software, and QC assays into a scalable system to help customers expand output, significantly reduce cost per dose, and shorten vein-to-vein time for patients.
Conventional manufacturing models for autologous cell therapies rely on centralized, purpose-built facilities, requiring significant greenfield investment, staff recruitment, training, and multi-year build-up phases. Approximately 60 percent of regulatory disruptions in cell therapy production are caused by manufacturing and process-related issues. The Eveo platform integrates cell selection, activation, gene modification, expansion, wash and concentration, and final formulation into a closed system, using various Sartorius solutions from critical raw materials to bioreactors and separation technologies. Its compact design supports implementation in existing facilities with existing staff, allows for operation in lower-classification environments, and supports both centralized and decentralized manufacturing models.
Sartorius collaborated with ElevateBio, a leading cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), among other partners, to test the Eveo platform. In a successful pilot, the system performed in line with design expectations, demonstrating real-world applicability. Due to its multi-parallel configuration, a single operator can process eight patient batches at once in the same cleanroom space traditionally needed for two batches. Assuming a manufacturing time of around seven days per batch and 50 production weeks per year, Eveo enables production of more than 350 doses per year in a footprint that today yields roughly 100 doses—an almost fourfold increase. Financial modelling confirms that the platform can reduce manufacturing costs by around 90 percent.
Quality control also represents a major bottleneck in cell therapy production and release. With Sartorius’ capabilities in live cell imaging and high throughput flow cytometry included in the Eveo platform, the technology addresses key analytical challenges and enables accessibility. Sartorius plans to begin taking orders for the Eveo Cell Therapy Platform in September 2026, with first deliveries expected in 2027. ElevateBio is a preferred partner and will be granted access to one of the first Eveo platforms for use with its manufacturing customers. More information about the platform is available at https://www.sartorius.com/en/pr/eveo-cell-therapy-platform.
