Newsletter | October 21, 2025

10.21.25 -- The FDA 483 Heard Round The World

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Webinar: Advancing with confidence: smarter CMC strategies to accelerate next-generation biologics to the clinic

Unlock success in next-generation biologics development with Lonza. In this webinar, our experts share real-world case studies and practical CMC strategies to avoid pitfalls, reduce risk, and keep timelines on track. Learn how smart design, cross-functional collaboration, and CDMO partnerships accelerate progress from early development to first-in-human manufacturing—delivering innovative therapies to patients faster. Register now! Click here to learn more.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Phase-Appropriate Approaches To Manufacturing And Testing

Accelerate the development of high-quality biopharmaceuticals by implementing phase-appropriate, risk-based manufacturing and testing strategies that ensure timely progression.

Tech Transfer: 7 Unique Challenges For Advanced Therapeutics

Ensure the success of your tech transfer by addressing these key challenges and optimizing your processes for seamless scalability and compliance.

ATMP Development In 2025: Promise, Pressure, And The Push To Scale

Drive the next wave of cell and gene therapy innovation by overcoming operational, funding, and regulatory challenges to deliver life-changing treatments to patients faster.

FEATURED EDITORIAL

The FDA 483 Heard Round The World

For the first time in more than a decade writing this column, I’ll focus on a specific 483 – actually two – received by a CDMO site. It pains me to do so, for a number of reasons. But the overall industry reaction to this specific FDA issuance compels me to take this on.

Navigating Regulatory Frameworks For Allogeneic CAR-NK Control Strategies

The regulatory landscape for this emerging modality is vast and tortuous. One regulatory CMC expert, a former FDA reviewer, helps us with a path through it all.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS CONTINUED

Scalability And Productivity Of Transient Transfection AAV Production

By refining variables such as starting DNA, reagents, cell density, and media composition, organizations can improve rAAV process efficiency and scalability.

Efficient Mammalian Cell Engineering For Protein Expression In 4-6 Weeks

Here, we demonstrate how leveraging cells equipped with an existing TARGATT™ landing pad can efficiently achieve inducible expression within just 4-6 weeks after donor plasmid creation.

Combining An MVA Technology Platform With Innovative Analytical Methods

Learn how this process development platform for MVA impacts vaccine manufacturing and supports the drug life cycle from process and analytical development through trials and commercialization.

Fit-For-Purpose Lipids Can Accelerate, Scale, And Improve RNA-LNP Drugs

Emerging biotech companies are investing in delivery capabilities to address the needs of various modalities and extra-hepatic delivery. Consider these steps for faster commercial nanomedicine delivery.

The CDMO Value Proposition For Your Autologous Cell Therapy

Kelly Kral from bluebird bio and Lonza's Anthony Basile share a decade-long story of partnership in bringing two life-changing gene therapies to market successfully in 2022.

Nitrosamine Testing: How To Ensure Regulatory Compliance, Product Safety

Review what nitrosamines are, why testing matters, and how we're able to deliver high-confidence solutions through advanced science and industry-leading expertise.

Digging Into Manufacturing Priorities For Viral Vectors

Addressing the complexities of viral vector manufacturing through strategic internalization, advanced technologies, and regulatory excellence is crucial for the future of gene therapies.

Optimizing CMO Partnerships

Meredith Canty of Drug Delivery discusses best practices and tips across a range of topics, including program management, automation, and secondary services, with Charlotte Ward and Ryan Moran.

Confirming Feeder Cells For TIL Expansion

To ensure the safety of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TIL) therapies, it's important to use cGMP-compliant feeder cells confirmed to be non-proliferative through competency testing.

From Research To Reality: Overcoming CMC Challenges In CGT

Understand the importance of adopting a Quality by Design (QbD) approach in the development process while integrating regulatory and CMC strategies for maximum efficiency and benefit.

Streamline AAV-Based Gene Therapies With Off-The-Shelf Plasmids

Standardized, well-characterized plasmids and platform processes can accelerate viral vector development, improve consistency, and support scalable, high-quality gene therapy manufacturing.

CGT Development: Characterization Of Cellular Starting Material

Gain insight into the challenges of sourcing and variability of cellular material and how characterization assays can mitigate the inherent risks of progressing living cells through development.

An Extended Kinetics Study Of AAV Viral Vector Production

This study aims to explore the kinetics of capsid formation and impurity profiles over time, offering insights that can inform future process improvements.

SPONSOR

Join 1,000+ pharma, biotech, and drug delivery professionals at the PODD: Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery Conference, October 27–28 in Boston. Featuring 10 technology tracks, pharma company spotlights, 1:1 partnering, and more. Attendees will also hear from leaders at companies including AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Eli Lilly, GSK, Moderna, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, and others. Register at PODDConference.com with code LSL20 for 20% off.

SOLUTIONS

A Scalable, cGMP-Ready Process Reducing Development Timelines

This process was created to overcome challenges, such as supply chain bottlenecks, lack of scalability, and variability associated with customer-driven SOPs, analytical testing, and raw materials.

Capabilities Update April 2025: Cell & Gene Therapy

Director of Commercial Development, Serat Ali, describes FDBs' Advanced Therapy capabilities, discusses their global facilities network, and provides a capacity update.

Full End-To-End Patient And Order Management For Manufacturers, Providers

Streamline complex CGT logistics with an integrated platform that connects manufacturers with vital services, providing full visibility and control for a more efficient and successful patient journey.

Ramp Up Your AAV Production

Xcite™ AAV platform technology is established based on our proprietary suspension HEK293 cell line and plasmid vectors, proven to enhance AAV production.

Powering Gene Therapy Progress With High-Performance Lentiviral Vectors

This approach enables researchers and biopharmaceutical companies to advance their programs more efficiently, from early-stage discovery through clinical trials and into commercial deployment.

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