The Cell Based Therapy Laboratory (CBTL, formerly called Cell and Gene Therapy Lab or CGTL) has been at the forefront of pediatric healthcare innovation for decades. Transitioning from our legacy as the Stem Cell Laboratory, we have evolved to a current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) facility in 2010 and are in another major phase of expansion to meet the ever increasing need of Cell and Gene Therapies. Our mission is to bring advanced cell based therapies from concept to reality, offering new hope for patients and their families.

We collaborate closely with various departments, providing critical support to the Cellular Therapy and Transplant Section, Hematology, the Metabolic Disease Program and other clinical programs. 

Our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of care is reflected in our accreditations by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

Clinical trials and innovations

We are actively involved in a range of groundbreaking clinical trials, pushing the boundaries of medical science. Notably, our work has been instrumental in the FDA approval of Kymriah®, a pioneering CAR-T cell therapy, and Casgevy®, a gene therapy that employs precise molecular surgery to correct the genetic defect in sickle cell disease. Our current focus includes trials in cellular gene therapies, immune cell therapies, and more, aiming to treat a range of conditions from hematological disorders to inborn errors of metabolism.

We offer a spectrum of advanced therapies, including FDA-approved products like Kymriah® (tisagenlecleucel), Zynteglo® (betibeglogene autotemcel), Casgevy® (exagamglogene autotemcel), Lyfgenia® (lovotibeglogene autotemcel), and Skysona® (elivaldogene autotemcel). These treatments represent the pinnacle of our commitment to transforming pediatric healthcare through innovation.

Our services

CBTL is equipped with advanced technologies to perform a variety of critical procedures, all with quality control and quality assurance compliant with cGMP, including:

• Cell product cryopreservation and thawing
• Red cell and plasma depletion
• Magnetic cell selection and depletion using the CliniMACS Plus
• Manufacturing of CAR-T cells and virus-specific T cells with the CliniMACS Prodigy

We also collaborate with investigators across CHOP to develop cGMP-compliant manufacturing processes for novel cell-based therapies and cellular gene therapies. Our Process Development Lab (PDL) is a dedicated space where new investigational therapies are developed at clinical scale, streamlining the path from bench to bedside. Cell and gene therapy researchers at CHOP interested in exploring opportunities for collaboration with the CBTL are invited to contact Dr. Kadauke and Dr. Wang for more information. The lab provides a supportive environment for navigating the complex landscape of investigational new drug-enabling research in cell and gene therapy, and the team looks forward to assisting researchers with their clinical transitions. 

For information about our Cellular Therapy Fellowship program, which is a joint program with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, please visit the Cellular Therapy Fellowship page.

Lab locations

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Main Building, Room 5NW38
3401 Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Abramson Research Center,
Room 1215
3615 Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Lab hours

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.