ViroCell Biologics and University College London Announce Second Clinical Trial with a Single Batch of Lentiviral Vector produced by ViroCell
London, UK (August 18th, 2026) – ViroCell Biologics (“ViroCell”), a specialist viral vector Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (“CDMO”) for cell and gene therapy (CGT) clinical trials, announces that a second clinical trial has been initiated at University College London in collaboration with John Anderson (“UCL”) using lentiviral vector from a single initial GMP batch produced by ViroCell. The second clinical trial funded by Cancer Research UK, Stand up to Cancer and LifeArc, will utilize a lentivirally encoded CAR-T cell targeting B7H3 to generate autologous CAR-T cell products to be infused in children with relapsed and refractory extracranial solid cancers. The same lentiviral vector is also being evaluated in a phase I trial funded by the MRC in paediatric brain tumour patients.
UCL selected ViroCell as its partner to manufacture the lentiviral vector for this program based on the CDMO’s expertise and track record in delivering high yield vectors at speed. In 2024, ViroCell successfully delivered a high yield vector while meeting UCL’s accelerated timeline to initiate the first clinical trial with this vector. The ability for UCL to subsequently initiate a second clinical trial using the material from the same GMP batch evidences ViroCell’s ability to deliver high titer LVV suitable for use in a substantial number of patients. The ability for clinicians to utilize vector across multiple batches is increasingly important as budgets have become tighter and first in human data has become more important for programs to receive market validation.
John Dawson, Executive Director of the Board of ViroCell, commented: “We have a great amount of respect for the incredible research done at UCL and we have appreciated being the partner of choice for their LVV needs across various programs. The fact that the titer from a single batch of LVV produced by ViroCell can subsequently be used for a second clinical trial speaks volumes to the high titer that we achieve from our manufacturing process. It’s a pleasure to be able to continue to work with Dr. Anderson and be a part of his life-saving research.”
John Anderson UCL, added: “ViroCell has been a great partner for our lab at UCL and for others across our network. They have been very collaborative from the outset to discuss vector design considerations, helping ensure the selection of an ideal candidate for evaluation. The high titre of the manufacture has helped secure funding for a second trial with the same batch of lentivirus. We’re grateful for their partnership and look forward to this next trial.”
About ViroCell
ViroCell Biologics is an innovation-driven Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (“CDMO”) focused exclusively on the design, de-risking, and GMP manufacture of viral vectors for clinical trials. Built around one of the most prolific academic viral vector manufacturing teams, ViroCell was created to address the global demand for precisely engineered viral vectors. The team leverages its deep track record to help clients to de-risk and accelerate novel cell and gene therapies into and through clinical development, with a mission of being the partner of choice for corporate and academic innovators. Focused solely on manufacturing lentiviral and retroviral vectors, ViroCell enables clients to start clinical trials on a scalable platform, delivering value by reducing costs, time, and regulatory risk.
About University College London
UCL is a global top 10 university, set up in London 200 years ago to offer education for all. Today, we gather 60,000 staff and students, from over 150 countries, to create a unique city within a city – a research and innovation powerhouse that leads the world in subjects spanning the arts, sciences, technology and the humanities. We’ve nurtured 33 Nobel Prize winners, because here, brave ideas have the scale and the support they need to succeed. We are University College London. And here, it can happen.
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www.ucl.ac.uk
For more information, please contact:
ViroCell
Nicholas Ostrout, PhD SVP