Commercial-scale lentiviral vector manufacturing: is the myth busted?

Abstract

Use of lentiviral vectors in clinical trials has increased through the last decade. Lentivirus based products have entered later trial phases, and cell and gene therapy products utilizing lentiviral vectors ex vivo have already been accepted on market by FDA and EMA. Thus, it is no wonder that there is a demand for commercial-scale lentiviral vector production. During the last ten years, large progress has fortunately occurred in both adherent and suspension production enabling manufacturing of large quantities of lentiviral vectors in relatively non-laborious manner. In this review, different scale-up options for lentiviral vector manufacturing are described, and aspects that should be taken into account while scaling up the process are covered.