PanTHERA CryoSolutions revolutionizes Canada’s cryopreservation space with diverse talent

CRYOPRESERVATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVE LONG HELPED SCIENTISTS PRESERVE AND STORE BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL. Freezing, however, is an imperfect process that can kill most of the live cells or tissue if not carefully performed. It is thought that the main cause of cell death is the formation and growth of ice crystals, which in turn causes cell damage, reducing the potency of the cells after they have been thawed. The industrial implications related to the imperfections of the current cryopreservation methods vary among the broad range of its applications. Ineffective cryopreservation, for example, can force vaccine manufacturers to use expensive and complex transportation and storage equipment, and impedes the proliferation of promising, life-saving cell and gene therapies.

PanTHERA CryoSolutions, a Canadian corporation, is set to revolutionize the cryopreservation space with the market release of the first-of-its-kind ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRIs) technology that significantly improves the cryopreservation process. These novel, small carbohydratebased compounds can control ice crystal size and growth during the cryopreservation of biological materials, increasing post-thaw recovery and mitigating damage associated with unintentional transient warming injury. Additionally, the IRI compounds allow for use of lower concentrations of toxic cryoprotecting agents and warmer storage temperatures. Compared to standard cryoprotecting agents that do not control ice growth, PanTHERA’s IRI compounds provide critical advantages for protecting cell and tissue products.

The success of the IRIs is attributed to the diverse team that PanTHERA CryoSolutions has put together. Research has shown that diverse teams are known to process facts more carefully, improving decision-making processes and increasing employee engagement. Headed by renowned cryobiologist Dr. Jason Acker and medicinal chemist Dr. Robert Ben, PanTHERA CryoSolutions boasts diverse talent, from chemists working with biologists and immunologists to analytical chemistry and quality control experts. The diverse team has a unique mix of various nationalities, ample gender representation and multiple disciplines. Enriching the employee pool with adequate representation is the key to boosting joint intellectual potential.

Canada is home to coveted institutions that offer vigorous cryobiology and medicinal chemistry training programs. PanTHERA CryoSolutions has strengthened its intellectual capital by recruiting talented scientists from these programs, and skilled talent fuels innovation. At present, there is a growing need in the cell gene therapy industry for individuals with expertise in cryopreservation. It is timely and paramount that the institutions and companies in Canada continue to focus on building the talent pipeline.

Dr. Jason Acker, CEO and Co-Founder of PanTHERA CryoSolutions, shares that “the strength of PanTHERA lies in our differences, not our similarities. I am proud to say that we would not be where we are today without our amazing, diverse team members, working tirelessly to produce impactful, high-quality products. PanTHERA CryoSolutions continues to leverage and add to the strength of Canada’s highly qualified cryosciences personnel who will continue to drive the cell-based therapeutics industry forward”.

Corporately, PanTHERA CryoSolutions is leveraging their expertise to educate the market on overcoming the challenges in the cryopreservation industry. While there is still much to be done in the cryopreservation industry today, PanTHERA CryoSolutions is poised to lead the charge in responding to industry challenges with its growing, talented, and diverse team. Find out more about PanTHERA CryoSolutions at www.pantheracryo.com.