Welcome back toThe Excell-ence Exclusive! Your quarterly source for expert insights into cell therapy manufacturing. In each issue, we share thought-provoking articles from the Excellos scientific team, highlighting technical expertise, industry trends, and best practices to help you accelerate your projects and stay ahead in the fast-moving world of cell therapy.
Addressing the Hard Truths of CGT Manufacturing Readiness in a Divided World
Symposium | August 12, 2025 | Excellos HQ
Presented by Excellos, Pluristyx, and Teknova – each a critical part of the end-to-end cell therapy workflow.
Get ready for a high-impact day featuring expert panels, interactive roundtables, and rapid-fire sessions—all kicking off with a keynote on the current industry landscape. We’ll wrap up the day with networking and drinks on the scenic outdoor patio.
Don’t miss this powerhouse lineup at the event: Carl Schoellhammer of DeciBio will unpack the evolving CGT landscape, Dr. Robert Tressler of Excellos will spotlight the importance of cell characterization in manufacturing, and Dr. Jose Morachis of Phase Two Ventures will share a startup and VC perspective on navigating today’s funding challenges. Plus, catch insights from Grant Schoneman of JLL on CGT real estate strategy.
A big thank you to our event sponsors—Akadeum, Xiltrix, Corning, PA Consulting, VisiCell, Defined Bio, PBS Bio, and Invert. These industry leaders are not only supporting the event but will also be hosting interactive roundtables and rapid-fire sessions throughout the day. Don’t miss the chance to connect with them and gain insights from their diverse expertise.
Sign up now as spots are limited! Interested in sponsoring? View our sponsorship flyer and get in touch.
In Case You Missed It: CDMO Strategy That Delivers
At last week’s Outsourced Pharma Capacity Update, Erin Darnley, Program Director at Excellos, shared how our strategic approach to starting materials and supplier partnerships is helping redefine what it means to be a CDMO in the cell therapy space.
Her talk covered how we help clients:
Source more strategically
Strengthen quality control
Collaborate across the supply chain
All leading to cost savings, faster timelines, and reduced risk in cell therapy manufacturing.
On World Blood Donor Day we took a moment to honor the everyday heroes whose blood donations make life-saving treatments—and breakthrough cell and gene therapies—possible.
At Excellos, our work begins with that powerful gift. Thanks to our partnerships with the San Diego Blood Bank and Blood Centers of America, we receive essential starting materials donated by selfless individuals. These donations are the foundation for the innovative therapies we help develop.
As the World Health Organization reminds us: “This year, we honor hope—the kind you give with every drop of blood.”
Millions depend on blood transfusions every year—and those same donations fuel medical innovation and offer hope to countless patients.
We continue to be grateful to all donors whose generosity saves lives and drives breakthroughs.
A Network for Innovation: Excellos’ Partnership with Blood Centers of America
Scaling cell and gene therapy (CGT) takes more than science—it takes a strong network.
Since 2020, Excellos has partnered with Blood Centers of America (BCA) through San Diego Blood Bank to ensure consistent access to high-quality, standardized starting materials.
Why this partnership matters:
Standardized Inputs – Access to donor material collected under unified protocols across BCA’s national network
Built for Scale – Largest network of blood-derived biologics providers, supporting CGT supply chain growth
Decentralized Innovation – As Galapagos’s first decentralized manufacturing CDMO, Excellos is uniquely positioned to help advance this model alongside BCA
We’re proud to be part of BCA’s Advanced Therapies Network—driving greater standardization, scalability, and innovation across CGT manufacturing.
Welcome to our new series of short, science-forward conversations designed to explore what really moves the needle in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. From donor material to final product, we’ll dive into the upstream decisions that shape downstream success.
Our first session featured a spotlight on Excellos360™, presented by Dr. Robert Tressler, Chief Scientific Officer, and hosted by Jessica Wanamaker, VP of Business Development.
What we covered: Excellos360 uses deep multiparametric analysis of T cells—measuring metabolism, polyfunctionality, proliferation, and stemness—to generate a unified, actionable metric. The goal? To help therapy developers prescreen material more effectively and optimize for potency, consistency, and outcomes from the start.
Spotlight on Excellence: Process Developmentment Team
Behind every GMP-ready cell therapy is a team turning breakthrough science into scalable reality. At Excellos, our Process and Analytical Development (PD/AD) group is that engine—designing robust, phase-appropriate processes and analytical tools that power client success from concept to clinic.
Whether it’s optimizing platforms for T, NK, or stem cells, or innovating with tools like the Escore™ donor evaluation system, this team blends deep expertise with practical execution. Get to know the people, platforms, and partnerships driving Excellos’ scientific excellence.
👉 Explore the full article on our website to meet the team and discover how Excellos ensures excellence in cell and gene therapy solutions.
Stay tuned for our next article coming out highlighting our agile and dedicated manufacturing team!
We’re excited to continue this journey with you. Stay tuned for the next edition of The Excell-ence Exclusive, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts. Together, we’ll continue advancing the future of cell therapy!
