iceTherapies

iceTherapies project overarching goal is to transform cryopreservation by developing non-toxic, universal strategies for freezing tissues and cells—enabling a new generation of cell therapy products that can be administered immediately after thawing.
Cell therapies have shown exceptional promise for treating previously incurable diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, glioblastoma, and leukodystrophies. Yet, their potential is limited by logistical and clinical hurdles. Current methods rely on either the rapid delivery of fresh cells with limited viability or the use of cryopreserved cells that require washing post-thaw to remove toxic cryoprotectants. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the most common cryoprotectant, while effective, poses significant risks to both cells and patients—including nausea, hypotension, neurological issues, renal failure, and even respiratory arrest.
iceTherapies proposes a paradigm shift. Its central hypothesis is that directional freezing—offering precise control over the solidification front—combined with simplified, non-toxic media, can preserve cell integrity and function without post-thaw processing. This would streamline hospital workflows and improve the safety and accessibility of cell therapies.
The project methodology includes two main components: (1) developing a directional freezing setup usable both for microscopic studies and clinical-scale processing, and (2) understanding and evaluating cryopreservation outcomes in simplified models (e.g., vesicles) and actual cell therapy products. This approach will generate fundamental insights into the physics and chemistry of freezing in non-toxic conditions and yield guidelines for clinical-grade applications.
iceTherapies will have dual impact: advancing scientific knowledge of cryopreservation without toxic agents, and delivering a GMP-compliant pilot system alongside optimized freezing media that enable immediate, bedside administration of therapeutic cells.

Cell and gene therapies offer new possibilities for treating serious diseases, including certain cancers and rare disorders. These therapies often rely on living cells that need to be preserved before they can be administered to patients. Today, this preservation mainly relies on freezing, but current methods still have important limitations.

The main product used to protect cells during freezing, called DMSO, can be toxic to cells and may cause side effects in patients. After thawing, this product therefore often needs to be removed before the cells can be administered. This additional step makes the process more complex and time-consuming in the hospital setting.

The iceTherapies project aims to develop a simpler freezing method that does not rely on toxic substances. The goal is to precisely control how ice forms around cells in order to better preserve their integrity and function.

The researchers will investigate a technique known as directional freezing, which makes it possible to control the progression of freezing through a sample. They will also test new preservation solutions on cells and tissues. The ultimate goal is to develop a method that allows cells to be used directly after thawing, without any additional processing step. This approach could simplify treatments, improve their safety, and facilitate their use in hospitals.

iceTherapies brings together research teams with expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, and cell biology, as well as teams at Saint-Louis Hospital specializing in the preparation of cell therapies. This collaboration will help bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and the practical needs of patients and healthcare professionals.