Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, and Pangyo, South Korea, April 27, 2026 – Miltenyi Biotec and CHA Biotech today announced a strategic collaboration for efficient NK cell manufacturing. The partnership brings together Miltenyi Bioindustry, a Miltenyi Biotec division with expertise in lentiviral vector engineering and manufacturing, and CHA Biotech’s expertise in NK cell research and clinical development. Miltenyi Bioindustry will provide preclinical and GMP lentiviral vector (LVV) material using its proprietary baboon envelope (BaEV) platform that enhances the efficiency and scalability of CAR NK cell therapy manufacturing.
Advancing CAR NK therapies with BaEV technology
CAR NK therapies are gaining momentum because they are considered safe, have a low risk of graft-versus-host disease, and may be produced as off-the-shelf treatments. As the field evolves, efficiently transducing challenging cell types like NK cells to improve their therapeutic potential remains a key limitation. BaEV pseudotyped LVV directly address this: by targeting ASCT1 and ASCT2 receptors naturally expressed on NK cells, they achieve significantly higher gene delivery efficiency than conventional methods. This results in more consistent and potent CAR NK products, improved scalability, and reduced cost of goods through higher yields and lower vector input.
Building capacity and strengthening the manufacturing foundation
The collaboration will support CHA Biotech to access BaEV pseudotyped LVV. As Boris Stoffel, Managing Director at Miltenyi Biotec, noted, “We see a strong complement between CHA Biotech’s scientific leadership and our strengths in our innovative lentiviral vector platform. Working together allows us to improve how CAR NK therapies are developed and manufactured, with a clear focus on quality, scalability, and patient needs.”
Both companies are developing standardized and automated workflows covering the entire CAR NK production cycle – from genetic modification and cell expansion to purification and cryopreservation – to ensure consistent quality and efficient scale up. As Su Youn Nam (Head of R&D Division) at CHA Biotech, explained, “CHA Biotech's engineered NK cell therapy portfolio is advancing through multiple development programs, with a focus on a global clinical development and strategic partnerships. Working with Miltenyi Biotec strengthens our overall process and helps us build a more robust CAR NK manufacturing platform. It’s a partnership that supports our long-term goal of delivering new cancer treatments to patients without unnecessary delay.”
Together, Miltenyi Biotec and CHA Biotech aim to establish a reliable production pathway for next-generation CAR NK therapies and accelerate the availability of innovative treatment options for patients worldwide.
About Miltenyi Biotec
Miltenyi Biotec is a global leader innovating technologies and services for patient-specific cell and gene therapies, turning scientific discoveries into practical treatments for personalized medicine. Having pioneered a groundbreaking method of cell separation, Miltenyi Biotec continues to set industry standards today. With over 35 years of expertise, it supports customers in biomedical discoveries, translating them into clinical applications to enable access to new therapies for patients. Miltenyi Biotec focuses on providing integrated, advanced solutions to address complex challenges in the treatment of cancers, autoimmune diseases, and inherited disorders. Through its Miltenyi Bioindustry division, it provides expert guidance to therapy developers, helping them efficiently and cost-effectively navigate the path from process development to commercialization. Miltenyi Biotec is headquartered in Bergisch Gladbach and has a global team of 5,000 employees across 24 countries.
Go to www.miltenyibiotec.com, www.miltenyibioindustry.com or follow Miltenyi Biotec on LinkedIn to get the latest updates.
Media contact
Kim Münster
Miltenyi Biotec, Corporate Communications
[email protected]
About CHA Biotech
CHA Biotech is a South Korean biotech company focused on cell and gene therapies, stem cell–based treatments, and regenerative medicine. It develops therapies for diseases such as macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and glioblastoma, and operates a global R&D and manufacturing network, including major facilities like the Cell Gene Biobank (CGB). The company also provides CDMO services and aims to significantly reduce the cost of advanced therapies to expand patient access.
Media contact
Yi Young Ho
CHA BIO GROUP, Public Relations Division
[email protected]