Technology

Multi-dimensional cell engineering in a single step

Through the complementary application of biological insights and technological advancements, we aim to unlock the transformative potential of cell therapies.

Creating the Future of Cell Therapies

Since our founding, we have focused on driving innovation to overcome the biological and manufacturing constraints of engineering cells as a therapeutic. We believe that our Cell Squeeze® technology has the potential to underpin a new generation of cell therapies by expanding the therapeutic possibilities of intracellular delivery, while streamlining the anticipated production time, costs and logistics for greater accessibility.

Multi-dimensional Control

Ability to modify cell functions, through transient or permanent changes, in a combinatorial manner

Breadth of cell types

Flexibility across therapeutically relevant cell types (immune cells, stem cells, RBCs, and more)

Autologous or allogeneic

Fit-for-purpose compatibility with autologous or allogeneic approaches

Cost effective, scalable

Practical, scalable model for producing and delivering cell therapies to patients

The Cell Squeeze® Technology

Cell therapies require precise and versatile biological engineering at scale to generate effective and accessible products. Our proprietary Cell Squeeze® technology relies on temporarily disrupting the cell membrane to deliver a variety of therapeutic cargoes while preserving cell health and function. Our technology allows for efficient, rapid and scalable intracellular delivery at a processing rate of over 10 billion cells per minute.

SQZ® Comparison of Different Approaches to Intracellular Delivery

Cell Squeeze® Viral Electroporation
Preservation of cell health Minimal disruption of gene expression or normal cell functions Tendency to trigger innate anti-viral responses. Risk of integration of viral components into the genome Disruption of gene expression that can interfere with functions such as differentiation and expansion
Scalability Scalable, e.g., through altering channel parallelization Production of GMP virus may be expensive, time consuming and demand special safety measures Flow-based systems are scalable; cuvette-based systems have scaling challenges
Universal across cell types Applicable to all mammalian cell types attempted to date Only applicable to certain cell types and often require different viral constructs for different cell types Only applicable to certain cell types
Material independent Diffusion mediated delivery is mostly cargo agnostic No, can only deliver nucleic acids compatible with viral packaging No, complex delivery mechanism favors highly charged materials such as nucleic acids
Stewart, M., et al. Nature. 2016.
Park, JC., et al. Immuno-Oncology and Technology. 2022.
Cell Squeeze®
Viral
Electroporation

Cell perturbation

Minimal disruption of gene expression or normal cell functions

Scalability

Scalable, e.g., through altering channel parallelization

Universal across cell types

Applicable to all mammalian cell types attempted to date

Material independent

Diffusion mediated delivery is mostly cargo agnostic

Stewart, M., et al. Nature. 2016.
Park, JC., et al. Immuno-Oncology and Technology. 2022.

Therapeutic Applications of Cell Squeeze® Engineering

We believe there is significant therapeutic potential to be unleashed by engineering cell behavior. Our Cell Squeeze® technology has enabled the development of oncology therapeutic candidate in Phase 1/2 clinical trial and has also led to a number of preclinical developments in the areas of autoimmune disease, infectious disease and regenerative medicine.

Learn more about SQZ® cell therapies in development

Broad Potential to Create Cell Therapies via Delivery of Diverse Molecules

Immune Cells + mRNAs

Incorporation of costimulatory factors and membrane bound cytokines to enhance immune cell phenotype and therapeutic activity

See Our Data

T cells + RNPs

Multiplexed gene editing of checkpoint molecules and cell surface receptors for broadening applicability of adoptive T cell therapies

See Our Data

iPSCs + RNAs

iPSC reprogramming through transcription factor mRNA delivery for regenerative medicine applications

See Our Data

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