cGMP ImmunoCell® Growth Medium Phenol Red Free
ImmunoCell® Growth Medium (ICGM) Phenol Red Free for the Expansion of Human Therapeutic Immune Cells
Akron’s ImmunoCell® Growth Medium (ICGM) Phenol Red Free is a serum-free, cytokine-free basal medium formulated to support the culture and expansion of human T cells for cell therapy applications. Developed by Akron Bio to provide a flexible foundation for T cell manufacturing across development stages and to support integration into multiple closed system cell therapy manufacturing workflows.
ICGM has been evaluated for use with peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated monocyte cultures, and
T cells. The medium has been assessed by multiple partners in cell therapy platforms using T cells isolated
from healthy donors, with positive feedback reported. The serum-free and serum-independent formulation
eliminates the need for serum supplementation, while the cytokine-free composition allows users to select
and control cytokine combinations and concentrations appropriate for their specific therapeutic product
and manufacturing process.
Advantages
- Antibiotic-free
- Phenol red-free
- Serum-free and animal origin component-free
- Manufactured in compliance with cGMP guidelines
- Memory phenotypes of cells are maintained when cultured
- Maintains function when subjected to environmental stresses such as light, elevated temperature, and freeze-thaw cycles
Release Testing
- Appearance (Visual Inspection)
- pH (Potentiometric)
- Osmolality (USP <785>)
- Functional Bioassay (Ex vivo Jurkat T cell Expansion)
- Mycoplasma (PCR)
- Endotoxin (USP <85> / EP 2.6.14)
- Sterility (USP <71> / EP 2.6.1)
Quality
- Relevant cGMP Guidelines Used in Manufacture, Testing, and Release
- USP <1043>, Ancillary Materials for Cell, Gene, and Tissue-Engineered Products
- ISO 20399:2022, Biotechnology - Ancillary Materials Present During the Production of Cellular Therapeutic Products and Gene Therapy Products
Stability
- Store at 2-8 °C
- Transport on cold packs
- 24-month shelf life
For Use Statement
For research or further manufacturing use in ex vivo cell therapy applications. This product is not intended for direct in vivo use or for direct clinical use as a drug, therapeutic, biologic, or medical device.
- Appearance (Visual Inspection)
- pH (Potentiometric)
- Osmolality (USP <785>)
- Functional Bioassay (Ex vivo Jurkat T cell Expansion)
- Mycoplasma (PCR)
- Endotoxin (USP <85> / EP 2.6.14)
- Sterility (USP <71> / EP 2.6.1)
Comparable Jurkat T cell proliferation in ICGM Phenol Red Free across container formats. Jurkat T cells were seeded in triplicate at 20,000 cells per well and cultured in ICGM Phenol Red Free from bag and bottle formats, supplemented with IL-2 at a final concentration of 100 Units/mL. Cells were incubated for (96 hours) at 37 °C. CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution reagent (Promega) was used to determine the number of viable cells in proliferation at seeding (time 0h) and at 96 hours post-incubation, using Absorbance 490nm readout. Fold increase in cell population corresponds to the ratio of A490nm @t=96h to A490nm @t=0h. Comparable proliferation was observed between bottle and bag formats, supporting format equivalency and product functionality.
1. Why use Akron’s ICGM?
Akron’s ImmunoCell® Growth Medium (ICGM) is manufactured in accordance with applicable cGMP guidelines for ancillary materials. ICGM has been evaluated for use with peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated monocyte cultures, and T cells, and has received positive feedback from partners evaluating the medium in cell therapy workflows using T cells isolated from healthy donors.
2. What is the intended use for the product?
For research or further manufacturing use in ex vivo cell therapy applications. This product is not intended for direct in vivo use or for direct clinical use as a drug, therapeutic, biologic, or medical device.
3. Which cell types are suitable for culture with Akron’s ICGM?
Akron’s ICGM can be used for the proliferation of a variety of human immune cells. Its effectiveness has been verified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated monocyte cultures, and T cells.
4. How does Akron measure functionality for this product?
Each lot of ICGM is tested for biological functionality via an ex vivo Jurkat T cell proliferation bioassay.
5. Do I need to supplement this media?
Akron’s ICGM is a serum-free and serum-independent basal medium and does not require supplementation with serum products. The formulation is cytokine-free to provide flexibility across different cell types and manufacturing processes. Users may supplement the medium as needed based on their specific process requirements and intended use.
6. Are there any differences between the phenol red and the phenol Red Free formulations?
The composition of phenol red-free formulation is identical to the phenol red-containing formulation, with the exception that phenol red has been omitted.
7. What is the shelf life?
24 months after date of manufacturing
8. What are the recommended storage conditions?
We recommend storing this product at 2-8 °C.
9. What are the shipping conditions?
This product ships on cold packs.
10. Does the product maintain functionality when exposed to extreme conditions?
The product has been shown to maintain biological functionality when heated, kept at room temperature, frozen, or exposed to light. Heated conditions tested include 45 °C for 1 hour and 20-25 °C for 72 hours, frozen conditions tested were -20 °C for a single freeze thaw cycle, and light exposure testing was performed after 24 hours of exposure.
11. Does this product have a TSE/BSE statement?
Yes. Our TSE/BSE statements are included in the Certificate of Origin (CoO), which is available upon request.
12. Are animal-derived materials used in the manufacture of this product?
No animal-derived materials are used in the manufacturing process or in the final product.
13. Are antibiotics used in the formulation or processes in the manufacturing facility?
No antibiotics are included or processed within the manufacturing facility.
14. What safety testing is done on this product?
Each lot of ICGM is tested for Mycoplasma via PCR, Bacterial Endotoxins per USP<85>, and Sterility per USP<71>.
15. Do you have an SDS for this product
Yes, an SDS is available upon request and a physical copy is included with every shipment.
16. What packaging options are available?
Akron’s ICGM is supplied as a ready to use liquid in 1 L PETG bottles or in 1 L polyethylene bag formats with multiple closed connection options, enabling sterile docking into modern closed system cell culture workflows. Each bag is supplied with a non-sterile, protective poly bag over pouch. Custom fill volumes are available upon request.
Aliquot Sizes & Formats
Bottles (1000 mL) Cat # AK9989-1000
