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multiply Labs Automates Cell Therapy Manufacturing with Robotics and AI
Multiply Labs is revolutionizing cell therapy production by applying principles from the semiconductor industry – specifically, the use of robotics to enhance precision, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The company develops automated systems designed to address the challenges of manufacturing these complex,personalized medicines.
The Origins of Multiply Labs
The concept for Multiply Labs originated from a collaboration between Fred Parietti, while pursuing a PhD in robotics at MIT, and Alice Melocchi. Melocchi highlighted the labor-intensive and contamination-prone nature of traditional cell therapy labs. “She showed me what she did in a lab and how tough it was, and I couldn’t believe it – I thought drugs were made like chips, and this was insane but also real,” said Parietti, co-founder and CEO of Multiply Labs. The pair launched the company in 2016 after participating in the YCombinator accelerator program.
Automating cell Therapy Production
San Francisco-based Multiply Labs now provides end-to-end robotic systems for manufacturing gene-modified cell therapies. The companyS technology is currently utilized by leading cell therapy companies, including Kyverna Therapeutics and Legend Biotech.
From Cleanrooms to Automated Biomanufacturing
Traditional cell therapy manufacturing relies on manual processes within highly controlled cleanroom environments. Multiply Labs is shifting this paradigm towards automated biomanufacturing clusters. This transition, mirroring the evolution of the semiconductor industry, promises increased precision, reduced contamination risks, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The company leverages physical AI to optimize these processes.
Leveraging NVIDIA technology for Advanced Automation
Multiply Labs integrates several NVIDIA technologies into its systems:
- NVIDIA Omniverse: Used to create digital twins of lab environments, enabling virtual testing and optimization.
- NVIDIA Isaac Sim: A robotics simulation framework used to train robots in the specific skills required for cell therapy development.
- NVIDIA Isaac GR00T: A foundation model for humanoid robots being developed to assist in labs, improving hygiene and potentially automating more complex tasks.
The Promise of Cell Therapy
Cell therapies represent a promising new approach to treating a range of diseases. These therapies involve modifying cells