
28 Jan Roswell Parks Opens Largest Engineering and Cell Manufacturing Facility to Expand Cancer Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Choi
Christopher Choi, PhD, MBA
Senior Vice President of Industry Partnerships
Associate Professor of Oncology
Technical Director of GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Buffalo, NY
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What is a GMP facility?
Response: The opening of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility (GEM) facility marks a significant milestone in advancing cell and gene therapy research at Roswell Park. Our GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility is a specialized manufacturing space designed to produce cell-based and gene-based products under stringent regulatory conditions to ensure product safety, quality and consistency. These facilities are critical for translating innovative research into clinical-grade products that meet regulatory standards for use in patient care.
The GEM Facility is part of our commitment to driving the next generation of cancer treatments and other advanced therapies, addressing a critical bottleneck in the development of these transformative technologies.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the research this facility will be focused on? Primarily Basic or Clinical research?
Response: The primary focus of our GEM facility will be on clinical development for early-phase trials and GMP manufacturing. Specifically, it will support the development and production of cell and gene therapy products for Phase I and II clinical trials. While basic research lays the foundation for therapeutic innovations, the GMP facility enables the translation of this research into viable therapies by providing the infrastructure needed for process development, scale-up, and clinical-grade manufacturing for patients.
Key areas of focus include CAR T-cell therapy, viral vector manufacturing, and other immune-based cell therapies aimed at treating cancers and genetic diseases.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The launch of GEM represents a major step forward in our ability to accelerate the development of cutting-edge therapies and bring them to patients faster. It underscores our institution’s role as a leader in cell and gene therapy, providing researchers and industry partners with a world-class platform for manufacturing high-quality, clinical-grade products.
We aim to position Western New York as a hub for advanced therapeutic development, fostering innovation, collaboration, and economic growth in the region.
MedicalResearch.com: When might the facility open and what projects/researchers will be early utilizers?
Response: The expanded facility officially opened in Dec 2024. Early utilizers of the facility include projects focusing on CAR T-cell therapies for hematologic malignancies, viral vector manufacturing for gene therapy, and novel immunotherapy approaches for solid tumors.
Additionally, collaborations with academic researchers and industry partners are already in development, ensuring the facility is a cornerstone for both internal and external innovations.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: The establishment of the GEM facility has been made possible by generous support from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation and Empire State Development, and the dedication of our multidisciplinary team. We welcome inquiries from potential collaborators, including academic researchers and biopharmaceutical companies, to explore how our GMP facility can help accelerate their therapeutic pipelines.
More information:
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Last Updated on January 28, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD