Welcome to this newsletter update, where we highlight upcoming and recent presentations, collaborations and advances in rapid sterility testing. We also introduce our expanded Research Support Program, helping academic researchers access advanced biocalorimetry technology.
J&J to present rapid sterility-testing data from our R&D collaboration
New feasibility data from our collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine will be presented at the PDA Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference 2026 in Washington, DC. Nore Struyf, Principal Scientist and Microbiology expert at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, will present: “New Data from R&D Collaboration Highlights Rapid Sterility Testing Capabilitis”.
Reducing vein-to-vein time is a critical priority in CAR-T therapy. Conventional sterility testing can take 14 days, while established rapid methods still require seven days. The method being developed uses Symcel sterility testing system to detect the metabolic heat produced by living microorganisms.
As reported in the published conference abstract, feasibility testing detected all microorganisms guided by Ph. Eur. 2.6.27 within 72 hours at low spike levels. A full GMP validation study is underway to evaluate comparability, specificity, limit of detection, repeatability and robustness/ruggedness.
This presentation is an important milestone for our R&D collaboration. It brings externally generated application data into a leading scientific forum and advances the evidence base for a 2-3 day sterility-testing workflow for time-sensitive cell therapies.
📍 PDA Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference 2026, Washington, DC
🗓️ Tuesday, 27 October | 13:55–14:20 EDT
Rapid and reliable sterility testing of advanced therapies and biologics
For advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and other short shelf-life products, conventional 14-day sterility testing presents a significant challenge. Complex matrices, stringent detection requirements, patient safety risks, and costly release delays make rapid yet reliable sterility testing essential.
In this article, we discuss how isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) systems can combine the reliability of growth-based detection with continuous monitoring, automation, a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 CFU, direct inoculation into TSB and FTM media, and negative sterility test results in under 3 days.
Sharing advances in rapid sterilility testing at EDQM nad BioPhorum
The development and implementation of rapid sterility testing methods bring together microbiological science, technological innovation and regulatory considerations.
On 15 October, Symcel participated in the EDQM “Microbiology on the Move” symposium in Strasbourg and at the Fire Session on new solutions.
On 30 September, Symcel presented “From concept to validation: A 72-hour calorimetric sterility test” at the BioPhorum Alternative & Rapid Micro Methods group meeting, covering the technology behind biocalorimetry-based sterility testing, its development, and the latest validation data. BioPhorum members can access the presentation on demand.
For technical and regulatory guidance on the implementation of rapid microbiological methods for sterility testing, contact our Clinical Development team at sterility@symcel.com.
Building stronger research proposals
Symcel provides scientific and technical support to help researchers introduce biocalorimetry into their research or expand its use. This includes strengthening funding applications through relevant publications, preliminary data generation, instrument selection and budget preparation.
Research support program
Symcel instruments have contributed to more than 80 scientific publications across a wide range of research areas, from biofilms, sterility testing and antimicrobial research to environmental microbiology and cell metabolism.
To support further scientific discoveries, Symcel has launched a Research Support Program helping academic researchers access advanced biocalorimetry technology, including those at institutions with limited research funding. The program offers scientific and technical support alongside favorable financial terms for our calScreener®, calScreener+ and caloTrace® systems.
Applications are open until 16 December 2026.
Conferences and events 🌍
Upcoming events where Symcel will participate:
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PDA Pharma Microbiology Conference, Washington, DC, USA (26–28 October)
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Foodtech, Herning, Denmark (27–29 October)
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PharmaLab Congress, Darmstadt, Germany (23–25 November)
Contact us to discuss how Symcel can support your testing needs or book a meeting at these events.