Cha Biotech’s U.S. subsidiary, Matica Bio, is ramping up its efforts to penetrate the gene therapy market with the introduction of a customer-focused open Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) platform.
Matica Bio announced on Wednesday the official launch of its innovative manufacturing framework, the Matica Open Access Platform, and disclosed its inaugural contract with American biotech firm Cirsium Biosciences.
This groundbreaking platform is engineered to empower clients with continued control over their development projects, marking a departure from the industry’s conventional closed technology transfer models and long-term platform-dependent contracts.
According to Matica Bio, the company not only provides process and analytical development services but also guarantees clients access to and ownership of process data, while eliminating cell line-related milestone and royalty expenses.
Cirsium Biosciences is at the forefront of developing next-generation gene therapies, leveraging plant-based adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology.
The partnership aims to merge Cirsium’s plant-based AAV production technology with Matica Bio’s downstream processing and analytical expertise, potentially streamlining costs and simplifying the gene therapy manufacturing process.
Through this collaboration, Cirsium anticipates establishing a more rapid scale-up system, spanning from initial research and development (R&D) to commercial production.
Matica Bio is set to showcase this platform at the upcoming BIO International Convention (BIO USA 2026), the world’s premier biotech event, scheduled for June 22-25 in San Diego.
The company is optimistic that its open access platform will drive new business, given the increasing demand from biotech firms for early validation of new drug candidates’ development potential.
Paul Kim, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Matica Bio, stated that the aim is to offer a novel alternative that fosters mutual growth with our clients, transcending the traditional closed CDMO model. This approach will serve as our foundation for expanding the global order book.
Cha Biotech, the flagship company of the Cha Biotech Group, specializes in researching and developing cell and gene therapies (CGT) for challenging diseases such as cancer and rare disorders. The company boasts the world’s most extensive cell library, encompassing over 80 proprietary cell therapy technologies. These include immune cells, umbilical cord-derived stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and neural precursor cells, each applicable to various diseases.
Building on this foundation, Cha Biotech is establishing a global production network across the U.S., Korea, and Japan to boost CGT supply and enhance production efficiency. The company is also diversifying its portfolio to include services such as umbilical cord blood storage, immune cell and stem cell preservation, genomic analysis, and medical information technology (IT) development consulting.