Full Press Release Details
A Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Collaboration Strengthening the CGT Ecosystem
Progress in cell and gene therapy (CGT) depends on more than breakthrough science—it requires collaboration, access to the right tools, and shared commitment across the ecosystem. That belief sits at the heart of a new partnership between BioLife Solutions, ScaleReady , and the Emily Whitehead Foundation , formed in support of the upcoming G-Rex® Grant Tour .
Launching January 21, 2026, in Houston , the year-long, 12-city tour will bring together scientists, therapy developers, investors, and patient advocates to help accelerate innovation and expand access to advanced CGT manufacturing capabilities. The tour builds on the momentum of ScaleReady’s $40 million G-Rex Grant Program, which has already supported researchers and developers working to move promising therapies closer to patients.
Bringing Education, Tools, and Expertise Directly to the CGT Community
Throughout 2026, the G-Rex Grant Tour will visit major CGT hubs across the United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Boston, Seattle, Raleigh, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York City, Phoenix, and Minneapolis. Each stop will feature programming focused on manufacturing standardization, workflow scalability, biopreservation best practices, and real-world challenges facing therapy developers.
By combining technical education with peer connection and advocacy, the tour is designed to help developers address practical barriers in early-stage and translational manufacturing—particularly in environments where traditional funding and infrastructure may be limited.
“By bringing education, tools, and training directly to researchers across the country, we can help accelerate the development of cell and gene therapies so they reach patients faster,” said Roderick de Greef, CEO of BioLife Solutions.
Expanding Capabilities at the Aby J. Mathew Center for Biopreservation Excellence
As part of the collaboration, ScaleReady will sponsor BioLife’s Aby J. Mathew Center for Biopreservation Excellence with G-Rex® consumables, materials, and technical expertise. This sponsorship will support deeper process optimization and development efforts—spanning starting materials through final drug product.
The partnership will also enable more seamless technology transfer and scale-up for CGT developers working with BioLife’s scientific teams, helping ensure that processes developed early can translate efficiently into later-stage manufacturing.
In parallel, BioLife will provide in-kind product support and discounted access to its tools and services for G-Rex Grant awardees, further lowering barriers for early-stage development and enabling teams to focus resources where they matter most
A Shared Commitment to Education, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing Readiness
For BioLife, ScaleReady, and the Emily Whitehead Foundation, this collaboration reflects a shared focus on strengthening the cell and gene therapy ecosystem through education, technical collaboration, and practical manufacturing support.
By aligning expertise across biopreservation, scalable manufacturing platforms, and community engagement, the G-Rex® Grant Tour is designed to help developers address real-world challenges in CGT development and manufacturing—particularly at early and translational stages.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, connection, and practical resources across the cell therapy community,” said Kristine Barras, Director of Development at the Emily Whitehead Foundation.
Through this initiative, participating organizations aim to support knowledge-sharing, process consistency, and long-term manufacturing readiness, helping to advance the broader CGT field.
To learn more about the ScaleReady G-Rex® Grant Program and the Tour, visit ScaleReady’s program page.