CELLULAR ORIGINS REVOLUTIONISES CGT MANUFACTURING WITH MOBILE ROBOTS
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) supplied by leading UK robotics distributor RARUK Automation form the base for Cellular Origins’ IMRs, which are a key component in the revolutionary Constellation® system. Developed to automate cell therapy manufacturing at scale, Constellation® is a mobile robotic ecosystem that is improving access to vital, life changing treatments.
The Challenge
Cell and gene therapies (CGTs) treat life-altering diseases, such as cancers and genetic diseases, at the root level by modifying DNA, living cells or tissue. Among the most complex and advanced medical treatments under development, these therapies have the potential to deliver long-lasting or even curative treatment. However, access to these treatments worldwide is limited due to the costly, labour-intensive manufacturing processes involved.
“The challenge today is that the biology is phenomenal, but the manufacturing capacity and the ability to scale that to the world is not there.” Says Leo Steenson, Head of Robotics at Cellular Origins.
Cellular Origins set out to change this by developing a scalable robotic system that could fit into existing or new manufacturing facilities. To automate cell therapy manufacturing, Cellular Origins needed a way to transport materials between different stations for each stage of the production process. Unlike systems that rely on higher-grade cleanroom environments, Cellular Origins’ method uses sterile tube welding to form closed connections, supporting operation in Grade C/D environments while mitigating contamination risk and reducing gowning requirements for operators. The whole system would be controlled by a unified software orchestration layer to track every step, coordinate equipment and process activities, and collect data.
It became clear to the Cellular Origins team that Integrated Mobile Robots (IMRs) would be the ideal solution to facilitate the transport of materials. It was important that the system could navigate autonomously around dynamic environments, enabling human interaction as required. Another key consideration was that the mobile robot base had an open interface that would allow it to be integrated with the central software system, as well as an industrial robot arm, which would sit on top of the mobile unit.
The Solution
After considering multiple options, including AGVs which would require tracks to run on, Cellular Origins engaged with RARUK Automation for a demonstration of the MiR250 autonomous mobile robot (AMR), developed by Mobile Industrial Robots, a Teradyne Robotics company. The demonstration highlighted the model’s compact footprint and collaborative, autonomous navigation capabilities. Additionally, MiR’s Agility Boost feature enables faster, smoother navigation in narrow and dynamic environments, which makes the AMR ideal for operating within the space-constrained layouts CGT manufacturing requires.
“The MiR250 is the ideal size, weight, payload, but crucially it is the easiest to integrate.” Remarks Steenson.
A key differentiating feature for the MiR250 was its open architecture, which enables communication with a wide range of industrial systems and devices. This provides manufacturers with the freedom to build tailored automation solutions without being constrained by proprietary interfaces or rigid system designs.
“The MiR platform is what we call an open platform. It’s able to communicate with multiple different industrial devices.” Explains Ross Lacy, Sales Director at RARUK Automation. “It allows the users to build a platform that fits into their application around that, so it’s quite unique in that sense.”
In addition to its flexibility to integrate with a range of technologies, the MiR250 (along with the rest of the MiR range) has smart charging capabilities. The mobile robot monitors its own battery levels and automatically docks for charging at a logical break point. When multiple MiR robots are managed by MiR Fleet software, the software coordinates jobs and charging schedules across the fleet. Robots can take turns charging while others continue working, helping maintain continuous, 24/7 operation.
“[MiR AMRs] can autonomously charge, they are scalable, they have a piece of fleet software that allows up to 100 to be used in the same environment.” Says Lacy. “They are very straightforward to get to grips with and get going.”
After Cellular Origins selected the MiR250 as the foundation of its integrated mobile robot (IMR), the implementation process progressed rapidly. The platform’s ease of use enabled the team to begin operating the robot almost immediately following initial training. Working closely with RARUK Automation, Cellular Origins then focused on refining the system and addressing the technical requirements needed to integrate the MiR250 with its other technologies.
As Steenson recalls: “After some training with Ross and the team, we got [the MiR] running within hours and, after that, we worked very closely together to figure out all of the integration details. Within a few months we had a working IMR.”
The Partnership
As well as the strong technical foundation provided by the MiR250, the collaborative working relationship between Cellular Origins and RARUK Automation proved instrumental both during development and now, as the solution is deployed at scale. From technical advice and support to facilitating discussions with the manufacturer, Mobile Industrial Robots, as operations scale, RARUK Automation prides itself on being a local partner that streamlines and simplifies the automation process.
Reflecting on the partnership between the two companies, Steenson comments: “[RARUK Automation] brings that wealth of expertise: they’ve worked across multiple different industries, they’ve worked with mobile robotics for years. They’ve listened, they’ve understood and they’ve delivered time after time.”
The Outcome
Since its launch in May 2023, Constellation® is the materialisation of Cellular Origins’ vision of scalable cell therapy manufacturing, with IMRs playing a central role in its flexible, automated ecosystem. The platform can achieve up to 30 times greater space efficiency, a 16-fold reduction in labour requirements and a 51% reduction in cost of goods compared with conventional manufacturing approaches, helping make advanced therapies more accessible and economically viable. Crucially, by unlocking the cost-savings achieved through smart automation, Cellular Origins’ Constellation® is improving access to life changing therapies – helping more patients receive the treatment they need.
Steenson concludes: “Success for Cellular Origins ultimately is in the treatment of the patients. Starting from the first dose through to tens-of-thousands and RARUK Automation enables us to do that as quickly as we possibly can.”
