Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, built in 1992 and renovated in 1998, is a 33,000-square-foot, free-standing, state-of-the-art facility located on the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus.
Development and Production
A total of 11,000 square feet of dedicated ISO Class 7 Controlled Environment Areas and ISO Class 5 areas are available for the development and production of advanced cell-, tissue-, and gene-based therapies. There are 19 clean rooms, with the space divided into five production areas, several with negative pressure, Biosafety Level 2 capabilities. The flexible, compliant design of the facility accommodates investigator-specific needs regarding bio-safety levels, bio-containment requirements, and project-specific gowning areas.
As part of the University of Minnesota Office of Academic Clinical Affairs, Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics has developed extensive, highly effective relationships with many departments and centers at the University, including the Stem Cell Institute, the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation, the Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, and the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development.
The facility is also an excellent resource for investigators from other research institutions and commercial firms, such as start-up biotherapeutic firms, that need development services, quality management, and regulatory services for testing novel biological therapeutic products.
Facility FDA Registration
The MCT Facility's Drug Master File (DMF) was submitted to the FDA originally on September 7, 2004. The DMF provides confidential detailed information about the MCT Facility, processes, and articles used in the manufacturing,processing, packaging, and storing of biotherapeutics and drugs. While the submission of a DMF is not required by law or FDA regulation, it is submitted solely at the discretion of the holder in support of IND or New Drug Applications.