The global biopharmaceutical market is growing rapidly, expected to nearly double by 2032. As demand increases, the industry faces pressure to streamline biotherapeutic discovery while maintaining high standards for efficiency, quality, and safety. Robust cell line development (CLD) is key to accelerating drug discovery and manufacturing, ensuring that therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines are produced efficiently and consistently.

In Innovations Pharmaceutical Technology, Maryam Ahmadi, Director of Science at Sphere Bio, explores how next-generation technologies are transforming CLD. She highlights the importance of early developability assessments to optimize cell line selection, improve production yields, and minimize costly inefficiencies.

One of the most significant advancements in CLD is the use of droplet-based microfluidic systems. These platforms encapsulate single cells within droplets of culture media, enabling high-throughput screening and rapid identification of optimal cell lines.

“When combined with fluorescence detection, droplet-based systems automate the screening of large, heterogeneous cell populations, allowing for precise selection while maintaining cell viability.” – Maryam Ahmadi, Sphere Bio

Droplet-based technologies also enhance the efficiency of CLD by addressing common challenges such as selection bias, unpredictable gene expression, and variable growth rates. By integrating fluorescence-based detection and multiplexing capabilities, these platforms enable parallel assessment of key cellular characteristics, ensuring that high-yielding, stable clones are selected early in the process.

The article further explores how novel approaches, such as targeted gene integration using CRISPR/Cas9, are improving the consistency and predictability of gene expression. Additionally, advancements in expression vector design and selection marker systems are enhancing productivity, while high-throughput droplet microfluidic systems accelerate the identification of optimal clones.

Automation is another game-changer in CLD, reducing reliance on traditional, labor-intensive methods. While colony pickers screen around 10,000 cells in three weeks, integrated droplet-based platforms can process up to 40 million cells in just hours—drastically cutting down timelines and improving efficiency.

To learn more about the latest innovations in cell line development and how Sphere Bio is driving change in the industry, read the full article in Innovations in Pharmaceutical Technology here.

This is part of our Editorial Coverage series, highlighting Sphere Bio’s contributions to leading scientific and industry publications. Stay updated on how our technology is shaping the future of biopharmaceutical discovery.