We are pleased to announce the successful official opening of the Innovation Center for Advanced Therapies (ICAT) in Zeist, located at the Utrecht Science Park, which took place on Thursday, May 23, 2024. This new facility represents a significant step forward in our mission to advance regenerative medicine.

Advancing Regenerative Medicine

As part of the RegMed XB Pilot Factory, ICAT aims to speed up the translation of research into practical healthcare solutions. Their work includes stem cell research, tissue engineering, and the development of regenerative treatments and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) such as cell therapy and disease models. Within the ecosystem of the Pilot Factory, ICAT specifically focuses on microtissues.

Integrated Facilities for Comprehensive Solutions

ICAT integrates three key facilities:

• Biofabrication Pilot Facility: This facility supports the development and optimization of biofabrication processes for engineered tissues.
• GMP Simulation Facility: It allows for the simulation and refinement of GMP-compliant manufacturing processes.
• GMP Production Facility: Dedicated to the standardized production of complex engineered immune cells and patient-specific microtissues.

These facilities enable the development, optimization, and standardization of complex manufacturing processes. They are embedded within an academic medical center environment, providing access to a relevant patient population, clinical trial infrastructure, and regulatory expertise.

What ICAT Offers

ICAT provides a range of services to support the development of regenerative medicine therapies:

• Feasibility Studies and (Co-)Development: Helping to evaluate and advance new therapies.
• GMP-Compliant Production Protocols and QC Methods: Developing and implementing production and quality control processes that meet industry standards.
• Small-Scale and Personalized GMP Production: Offering tailored GMP production for specific research and clinical needs.
• Training, Consultancy, and Coaching: Providing expert guidance on bringing new therapies to market.

An Ecosystem of Innovation

The RegMed XB Pilot Factory is an ecosystem of specialized pilot lines, including ICAT, SBMC, NecstGen, LUMC, and ReGEN Biomedical. Together, we support universities, research institutes, start-ups, and industry in developing, testing, upscaling, and producing new regenerative medicine therapies. Our goal is to bring new solutions for chronic diseases to patients in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

To learn more about the RegMed XB Pilot Factory, visit our landing page. For more information about ICAT, visit ICAT's website.