AI-driven platform advances CAR-T cell manufacturing at point of care

CAR-T cell therapy is regarded as one of the most targeted approaches in the treatment of hematological cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. This form of personalized immunotherapy modifies a patient’s own T-cells to fight cancer. However, widespread application remains difficult due to high production costs and complex logistics. 

To address these limitations, the EU-funded AIDPATH project has developed an automated CAR-T manufacturing platform. The first module has now been installed at the University Hospital Würzburg, marking a key milestone in the transition to point-of-care cell production. The platform, powered by artificial intelligence, is undergoing testing to ensure compliance with the highest standards for quality, safety, and precision. 

“This automated system will allow to produce CAR-T cells and other Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) directly at the point of care, offering a decentralized and more efficient manufacturing approach to CAR-T cell therapy,” says Prof. Michael Hudecek, University Hospital Würzburg. 

The fully automated system combines: 

• AI-powered digital twins for real-time decision-making 

• Production planning tools to streamline logistics 

• Real-time monitoring of cell culture parameters 

These tools adjust production steps based on clinical and physiological patient data. The result is a tailored CAR-T therapy with optimized quality and consistency. 

Data is gathered and processed using Ortec Logiqcare’s cloud-based infrastructure LogiqSuite, which supports AIDPATH’s end-to-end production and documentation. By integrating patient health records, cell manufacturing data and treatment monitoring data the platform ensures continuous process optimization. Algorithms are regularly refined to improve therapy outcomes, supporting scalable manufacturing across multiple hospital sites. 

“The relocation of the AIDPATH platform to its final location at the University Hospital Würzburg is a key milestone in advancing the field of personalized medicine,” says Dr. Bastian Nießing, Project Coordinator at AIDPATH. 

In addition to technical development, AIDPATH ensures strict adherence to bioethical standards and data protection regulations. Patient data is handled in accordance with European privacy laws, and AI applications are designed to ensure transparency, confidentiality, and trust in medical use. 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT