CPI and EnsiliTech® awarded £1.4M to revolutionise antibody manufacturing with cold-chain free technology

Currently, many antibody medicines require ultra-cold storage to prevent molecular aggregation, a challenge that results in high costs, supply chain inefficiencies, and limited accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Ensilication technology addresses these challenges by stabilising antibodies at room temperature, significantly reducing product losses, cold-chain costs, and environmental impact. 

The project will also explore the potential patient benefits of ensilicated-antibody therapies. By enabling higher concentration formulations, Ensilication allows for subcutaneous rather than intravenous administration, making treatments more patient-friendly and reducing the burden on healthcare facilities. This shift could enable more therapies to be administered in community or home settings, improving patient convenience and reducing hospital dependency. 

In collaboration with CPI, EnsiliTech will demonstrate the feasibility of integrating Ensilication into a monoclonal antibody production process, based upon Trastuzumab, used to treat breast and stomach cancers. A comprehensive cost-of-goods analysis will compare traditional cold-chain-dependent production with the innovative Ensilication approach, highlighting the economic and logistical advantages of the technology. 

By improving the stability and accessibility of antibody treatments, this project contributes to a more sustainable and equitable global healthcare system. 

Farai Carter, Technical Lead at CPI, said:

“We’re really excited to collaborate with EnsiliTech on this project to help harness the potential of using the Ensilication technology for long term storage of monoclonal antibodies to treat a variety of conditions. Monoclonal antibodies are complex molecules and the process of bringing them to market is costly, meaning very few companies are able to harness this potentially lifesaving and life-changing technology. 

“We will bring together pharmaceutical and formulation experts to support the development and scale up of EnsiliTech’s technology. Additionally, we will conduct an economic analysis and life cycle assessment of the process, to allow the formulation and development of sustainable monoclonal antibody therapeutics.” 

Dr Asel Sartbaeva, co-founder and CEO of EnsiliTech, said:

“This grant from Innovate UK enables us to take a significant step toward making antibody therapies more accessible, sustainable, and cost-effective. 

“By eliminating the need for expensive and complex cold-chain logistics, we can reduce waste, lower manufacturing costs, and expand global access to life-saving treatments.”