The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is rapidly becoming a global leader in Cell and Gene Therapy, driven by robust regulatory support, rising investment, and a maturing biotech ecosystem. As these advanced therapies gain momentum, analytical and bioprocessing technologies are proving essential for ensuring product safety, efficacy, and scalability.
This article highlights seven key technologies critical to the Asia pacific cell and gene therapy value chain, and the leading companies and institutions advancing them across APAC.
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One of the most indispensable tools is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which enables high-sensitivity detection and quantification of DNA. In cell and gene therapy, PCR ensures accurate assessment of viral vector copy numbers, residual host cell DNA, and transgene presence—crucial for both safety and regulatory approval. In Japan, Takara Bio is a leader in developing vector-specific PCR kits, while China’s GenScript Biotech supports CAR-T developers with qPCR-based assays that ensure therapeutic integrity from lab to clinic.
Flow Cytometry follows closely as a cornerstone technology for real-time characterization of cells. In the cell and gene therapy context, it plays a key role in evaluating transduction efficiency, determining cell phenotype, and tracking immune markers. Modern high-parameter cytometers can analyze millions of cells across dozens of biomarkers, enabling precision in both research and clinical workflows. Companies like Miltenyi Biotec, operating in Singapore and Japan, deliver GMP-compliant systems for cell sorting, while Cytek Biosciences leads in full-spectrum cytometry, helping researchers dissect complex immune responses in engineered cells.
Maintaining sterility in cell and gene therapy manufacturing is critical, and Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) testing remains the gold standard for detecting endotoxins in raw materials, media, and final products. With cell therapies being highly sensitive to contamination, endotoxin testing ensures patient safety and product quality. Japan’s FUJIFILM Wako has advanced recombinant LAL reagents for rapid detection, while Lonza Bioscience provides automated LAL solutions embedded in cell and gene therapy production suites across APAC.
On the protein quantification front, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a workhorse. It plays a central role in monitoring cytokine levels, vector titers, and immune responses post-treatment. In therapies like CAR-T, ELISA helps detect excessive cytokine release, providing early safety signals. Bio-Techne, with facilities in China and Australia, delivers a wide range of cell and gene therapy specific ELISA kits, while Korea’s KIST uses the platform to monitor immunogenicity in clinical trials.
A vital part of cell and gene therapy production is purification, and this is where Chromatography takes center stage. Whether it’s separating viral vectors from host cell proteins or polishing mRNA and plasmid DNA, chromatography ensures high-purity final products. Cytiva (formerly GE Healthcare), active across China, India, and South Korea, supplies scalable chromatography systems for AAV, lentivirus, and mRNA purification. Meanwhile, Suzhou Ribo Life Science applies chromatographic methods to streamline its gene and mRNA therapy manufacturing lines.
As therapies become more complex, Mass Spectrometry is gaining ground for its ability to analyze protein structures, detect post-translational modifications, and profile cell metabolites. In cell and gene therapy, it enables deep molecular characterization—critical for potency testing and biomarker discovery. Shimadzu Corporation in Japan offers cutting-edge mass spectrometry systems for cell and gene therapy proteomics, while the National University of Singapore (NUS) leverages mass spec to study metabolic shifts in CAR-T and engineered NK cells.
Despite its age, Western Blotting remains an essential technique for validating protein expression after gene editing or transfection. It is especially useful in early development to confirm the presence and correct size of therapeutic proteins. Abcam, with a strong presence in China and Australia, supplies high-affinity antibodies optimized for cell and gene therapy workflows, while Thermo Fisher Scientific supports automated western blotting in clinical labs throughout India and Southeast Asia.
Together, these technologies form the analytical and quality control backbone of Asia-Pacific’s cell and gene therapy ecosystem. As countries scale up biomanufacturing and clinical trials, tools like PCR, flow cytometry, chromatography, and mass Spectrometry are ensuring that therapies are not only innovative but also rigorously validated. The region’s leadership in adopting and advancing these platforms is positioning it at the forefront of the global cell and gene therapy revolution, where precision meets promise in every vial.
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