Optimizing CAR-T treatment: A T2EVOLVE guide to raw and starting material selection

CAR-T cell products, classified as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), have shown promising outcomes in cancer immunotherapy. The quality of raw and starting materials used in manufacturing is critical to ensure the efficacy and safety of CAR-T cell products and depends primarily on the selection of the right materials and the right suppliers. It is essential to consider a long-term strategy when selecting raw and starting materials, to prevent delays in the supply of innovative, high-quality and safe therapies to patients. A thorough assessment will allow developers not only to select suppliers who comply with regulatory requirements, but also to ensure a sustainable supply of materials throughout the development and the commercial phases. A careful selection of materials and suppliers can avoid the need of comparability studies due to changes in the supply of materials, impacting costs and causing significant delays in development and treatment readiness for patients. This work, coordinated by the T2EVOLVE IMI consortium, provides guidance for the selection and handling of raw and starting materials. By following these suggestions, developers can ensure that they use high quality raw and starting materials through the product development and lifecycle, resulting in safe and effective CAR-T therapies for patients.