City of Hope has established the Center for Biomedicine & Genetics (CBG) to ensure that our technological innovations are efficiently translated from the research lab to the clinical setting, while allowing scientific and clinical investigators complete academic freedom to test and refine the most promising new therapeutics.
The New York Times has recognized the City of Hope's Center for Biomedicine & Genetics for its leading role in developing innovative methods of rapid drug development ("Three Universities Join Researchers to Develop Drugs," 7/29/03).
GMP Grade Biologics Production
The CBG is designed specifically to accommodate small scale (bench-top) production of GMP-grade biologics, viral and non-viral gene therapeutics and modified patient’s cell populations to support phase I and II clinical trials at City of Hope National Medical Center. The design of the facility allows for these processes to be performed simultaneously in functionally isolated areas of the building.
Islet Cell Resource Center
Additionally, the CBG will provide isolated islet cells for the Islet Cell Resource (ICR) centers in the Western U.S., which are accelerating the study of islet cell transplantation as a potential cure for Type 1 diabetes. City of Hope was recently named one of 10 ICR centers in the U.S. by the National Center of Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The Center for Biomedicine & Genetics is funded through the generous support of the National Office Products Industry. City of Hope intends to make excess capacity accessible to interested academic and biotech parties through its Production Partnership Program.