And it’s all happening!

​Before 2024 wrapped up, we manufactured our first batch of FBS Replacement Solution (FRS) for external use. We hand-delivered to scientists at CSIRO and shipped to as a small cell therapies company based in Melbourne.
Along the way to hitting this milestone, we learned an awful lot:

1. Establishing a process for manufacturing larger volumes of FRS
2. Establishing quality control processes that we’ll use again and again
3. Understanding all of our options for cold supply chain - given FRS is shipped frozen!
4. Finding the best place to purchase dry ice when you’re living in regional Australia, far away from a major city
5. Likewise, finding the best way to ship frozen FRS from regional Australia to laboratories in major cities.

Ultimately, it took some late nights and some long weekends and several hours waiting on hold with various transportations providers. But a week before Christmas, the FRS was in the fridge at CSIRO and in Melbourne! Media City Scientific staff were able to roll into the holiday season feeling tired but excited to have reached this big milestone.
As we roll into 2025, we have plans to ship and deliver FRS to laboratories and small companies across Australia. During the next 6 months, FRS will be tested on a broad range of cell types. We are especially prioritising companies or laboratory groups trying to reduce or eliminate their dependence on FBS for regulatory reasons, so please reach out if that’s you and we will set up a call. From there, we will scale our manufacturing capability.
To date, we have compelling data that shows FRS supports the long-term growth of primary cells including muscle stem cells, fibroblasts and chondrocytes, as well as immortalised cell lines such as CHO. We are happy to share a product sheet with data and growth curves upon request.