Institute of Translational Health Science
Research Resources

Gene and Cell Therapy

Key Services:

  • Comprehensive quality program for therapeutic product development from benchtop to bedside, using current Good Manufacturing
    • Practices (cGMP)
    • Biosafety Level 2 and 3
    • Experienced research staff and training for investigator staff
    • Regulatory oversight and assistance
  • Product Development Consult Service to help you develop your own clinical product
    • Evaluation of pre-clinical data
    • Developing a management plan and timeline for product development
    • Assistance finding cGMP-compliant vendors for reagents and disposables
    • Assistance in developing FDA-compliant manufacturing techniques
  • On-site visits to help you set up your own cGMP-compliant lab
  • Reduced rates for apheresis
  • Assistance with IND applications including qualification scale-up runs

At your location: technical consultation and guidance in translating basic science to a clinical trial
The GCTC Lab provides translational researchers with the infrastructure, education, and technical expertise necessary  to develop novel gene and cell based clinical products for therapeutic applications. We assist investigators throughout the process, from the research benchtop, through regulatory communications, to the manufacture of products and infusion of volunteer subjects at the GCRC. Considerable research support is available to Category A investigators. To ensure the highest attainable level of participant safety, we conduct all activities under a comprehensive quality assurance program that is compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

    Read on for more information or skip to the steps to get started. Clean Rooms just steps from Patient Rooms The GCTC Lab is located on the UW GCRC, facilitating the transfer of patient samples between the clinic and the laboratory. The lab is composed of four secure access critical environment suites (two Biosafety Level 2 suites and two BL3). To prevent cross-contamination of products, each suite is outfitted with dedicated equipment, including biosafety cabinets, incubators, centrifuges and microscopes.

  • Research Support for Category A protocols, the GCTC lab provides:
    • trained scientific staff
    • reduced rates for apheresis
    • gowning
    • environmental monitoring
    • autoclaving of biohazardous waste
    • facility and equipment maintenance to comply with regulatory requirements
    • documentation and regulatory support
    • secure archiving of study samples

    Investigators provide reagents, biologics and disposables needed for your clinical trial, as well as any protocol-specific equipment not available in the GCTC Lab.

    Quality Assurance and Regulatory Expertise

    To ensure subject safety and compliance with FDA and other government agencies, we provide regulatory, administrative and quality assurance oversight for all work conducted at the GCTC. Cathy Lindgren, our Lab Manager, has over twenty years of experience managing adoptive immunotherapy trials and is certified in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs by the UW. For each clinical trial, she documents and archives all required information, and she takes an active role in all interactions with regulatory agencies.
    If you would like help setting up your own cGMP-compliant lab, give us a call! Our regulatory expertise is at your disposal.

    Steps to get started using the GCTC Lab:

    • Consult us before you seek NIH or other funding As early as possible, the investigator should contact the Director of Manufacturing, Ronald Manger, PhD. (667-5838 : rmanager@fhcrc.org), and/or the Director of Quality Assurance, Cathy Lindgren (598-7038: lindgren@u.washington.edu). We welcome applications from all ITHS affiliated institutions. .Laboratory techniques done in a cGMP-compliant clean room facility are decidedly more labor-intensive and expensive than traditional pre-clinical laboratory bench-top work. Please discuss your protocol budget with us prior to submitting your grant proposal to NIH or other peer-reviewed funding agencies.
    • Prepare applications for the CRCN and IRB/Human Subjects Review Committee (HSRC) You'll need to complete the CRCN application process including Appendix 5 . At the same time, you should be preparing an application to your IRB or Human Subjects Review Committee (HSRC). We gladly provide assistance with applications. We can also help you with clinical trial design and human subjects protection and we encourage you to consult with other ITHS core managers as well.
    • After approval from the ITHS and IRB/HSRC: Set timeline to submit an IND application. We'll meet to plan qualification runs in preparation for an Investigational New Drug application. We'll also discuss cGMP requirements and training, other regulatory applications you may need to submit, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and procedures for ordering and delivering supplies and reagents for the trial.
    • Draft cGMP-compliant Standard Operating Procedures We provide investigators with a template for use in developing precise SOPs. The SOPs should include as much detail as possible. The GCTC research staff will use your draft SOPs during qualification runs and will suggest modifications. After final editing and approval, the SOPs will form the basis for a document control system.
    • Train all technicians in cGMP and the protocol. GMP requires two people in the lab whenever a procedure is underway (one to perform the task and another to verify and document that it has been carried out in accordance with SOPs). We provide one technician and we rely on you to provide the other. Due to illnesses and vacations, the investigator should identify two people who will work in the lab. Your research staff will receive special training and documentation of their GMP understanding and proficiency. In addition, all personnel must have documentation of recent TB testing (within the last 2 years) and a positive titer against Hepatitis B (HepB vaccination). Our GCTC research staff will also need to be trained on the protocol in your laboratory.

      Ready to get started? Start the application process and give us a call.

      Questions?  
      Contact Catherine Lindgren
      Laboratory Manager/QA
      Email: lindgren@u.washington.edu 
      (206) 598-7038
      Office: UWMC SS719
      Box 356178
      Ronald Manger, PhD
      Director of Manufacturing
      Email: rmanger@fhcrc.org 
      206) 667-5838



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Copyright © 2007-2008 Institute of Translational Health Sciences. All Rights Reserved.
Funded under NCRR Grant UL1 RR 025014
National Center for Research Resources
Last Modified: 07/23/2008 10:31:29 AM