Panthera CryoSolutions

10/21/2026

Springer Nature just released a new “Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Fifth Edition” book. 📖

This book explores the fundamental principles, latest technologies, and practical methods used to preserve biological specimens through freezing and lyophilization. It features step-by-step lab protocols, essential materials, and troubleshooting guidance. 💡

Dr. Jason Acker contributed to the protocol, “Cryopreserving Small Volumes of Red Blood Cells Using the High Glycerol Method”, starting on page 571. This protocol provides a practical approach for preserving small RBC samples for research, rare donor phenotype studies, evaluation of new cryoprotectants, antibody identification, and compatibility testing. 🩸

Purchase a copy for your lab here:

This book presents the fundamental principles and emerging technologies underlying freezing and drying of biospecimens through practical protocols.

10/16/2026

During routine handling, inventory management, testing and transportation, cryopreserved products can experience transient warming that promotes ice recrystallization, the growth of larger ice crystals at the expense of smaller ones. ❄️

This process can contribute to cellular damage and compromise post-thaw quality.

🎤 In an upcoming Reg Med Net - the Regenerative Medicine Network webinar on Tuesday, November 10, at 7am PT/10am ET/4pm CET, Dr. Jason Acker and Dr. Robert Ben will examine the science of ice formation and recrystallization, the impact of temperature excursions on cell stability, and emerging approaches to controlling ice-associated damage with ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs).

You will learn how IRIs:

☑️ Can strengthen cryopreservation processes
☑️ Work to limit ice crystal growth
☑️ Protect cells during transient warming events
☑️ Help preserve post-thaw cell quality, function, and more

👉 Register here: https://www.regmednet.com/webinars/the-importance-of-ice-recrystallization-for-the-cryopreservation-of-cell-therapies/

10/06/2026

Amazing news today! 👏

We’re thrilled to announce that BioLife Solutions is now part of Repligen.

Repligen shares our commitment to providing innovative, differentiated, and enabling tools that help customers bring life-changing therapies to commercialization. Learn how our combined capabilities will support customers across the bioproduction workflow.

Press Release: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/10/06/3375610/0/en/repligen-completes-acquisition-of-biolife-solutions.html

09/29/2026

The development of scalable, allogeneic cancer therapies from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived natural killer cells (iNKs) depends on the ability to maintain cellular quality and function throughout manufacturing, storage, distribution, and subsequent clinical use.

Since freezing and thawing can impair both cell recovery and NK-cell effector activity, optimized cryopreservation approaches are needed.

❄️ In a new study BioLife Solutions, Inc. published with Cell & Gene Therapy Insights, Dr. Robert Ben, our Senior Director, and Dr. Anna Jezierski of the National Research Council of Canada, examined whether incorporating a small-molecule ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI) into BioLife’s CryoStor® CS10 freeze media could improve the preservation of iNKs during extended cryogenic storage.

💡 Following three and five months of cryogenic storage, cells preserved with IRI-supplemented CryoStor CS10 demonstrated significantly greater cytotoxic activity. This factor and other positive preliminary results indicate that targeting ice recrystallization may provide a complementary approach to conventional cryopreservation for maintaining the functional properties of iNKs during prolonged cryostorage.

Find out more ➡️: https://www.insights.bio/cell-and-gene-therapy-insights/journal/article/3971/evaluation-of-ice-recrystallization-inhibitors-for-preserving-the-postthaw-function-of-ipscderived-natural-killer-cells

09/18/2026

What an accomplishment! Congratulations to Dr. Jason Acker on being inducted as a Fellow in the 2026 Class of The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) / La Société royale du Canada (SRC).👏

Dr. Acker is an expert and leader in cryobiology, glycomics research, and transfusion medicine. He is the Senior Director and Co-Founder of our ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI) technology platform, which is part of BioLife Solutions, Inc. ❄️

The Royal Society of Canada identifies renowned scholars, artists, and scientists from across Canada. It’s one of the country’s highest honors and is the oldest scholarly institute. The Society recognizes individuals for their expertise, innovation, and excellence in their respective fields. 🏅

Read on: https://lnkd.in/gCpsMmxZ

07/24/2026

In a new Cell & Gene Therapy Insights interview, Editor Will Rich and Dr. Jason Acker discuss the history and evolution of biopreservation science for the cell and gene therapy field. ➡️

❄️ Dr. Acker dives into how cryopreservation processes should evolve from being viewed as simply logistics to being recognized as a critical and strategic manufacturing step that directly determines the quality, cost, and clinical performance of these advanced therapies.

❄️ Rich and Dr. Acker also examine the cryobiology knowledge gap and how to bridge that in the CGT industry, and cutting-edge technologies that could change how these therapies are secured, stored, and distributed at the point of care.

Read on: https://www.insights.bio/cell-and-gene-therapy-insights/journal/article/3892/frozen-in-time-rethinking-cryopreservation-as-a-core-process-parameter-in-cell-and-gene-therapy

07/14/2026

If you’re attending the Society for Cryobiology’s CRYO2026 meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, make sure to stop by BioLife’s table. Connect with Dr. Aby J. Mathew, Dr. Alireza Abazari, Dr. Ana Clementin, and Marty Campbell in person.

Add this Session to your calendar:

🧊🔥 “Cold Science, Hot Innovations: Novel Tools and Technologies for CPA Screening and CPA Loading/Unloading” on July 15, 11:00am-1:00pm, Room 250, presented by Dr. Jason Acker.

If you can’t make it to CRYO2026, consider attending Kivi Bio’s Cryopreservation & CGT event next week, July 21-22, in Kenosha, WI.

📈 Dr. Robert Ben will be discussing how controlling ice recrystallization during cryopreservation can significantly improve cell recovery post-thaw.

Kivi Bio registration: https://www.kivibio.com/general-7/july-21-22-2026-kivi-bio-event

06/16/2026

📣 Calling all researchers who are interested in the effects of low temperature on living cells or tissues.

Please join BioLife Solutions, Inc. and the PanTHERA team at the Society for Cryobiology’s CRYO2026 Annual Meeting in Seattle on July 15-17. ❄️

Dr. Ana Clementin and Dr. Jason Acker will be onsite.

💥 You won’t want to miss Dr. Acker’s session, “Cold Science, Hot Innovations: Novel Tools and Technologies for CPA Screening and CPA Loading/Unloading” on July 15, 11:00am-1:00pm, in Room 250.

Please invite your colleagues, young professionals, and PhD students to attend.

👉 View the program and register: https://cryo2026.com/

06/12/2026

Dr. Robert Ben will be speaking at The Cell Summit '26 event on July 28-29 in Cincinnati, OH. Don't miss this CGT focused and intimate-setting meeting! ⬇️

Cell and gene therapies rarely fail because the science lacks promise…

They are off often delayed or struggle when manufacturing plans, clinical workflows, supply chains, reimbursement pathways, and site-level realities are not designed to work together. 🧪⚙️

Join us at The Cell Summit ’26, July 28-29, 2026, for a non-traditional working meeting that is focused on intimate collaboration and solving some of the biggest cell and gene therapy issues mentioned above. ✔️

We’ve partnered with Cincinnati Children's Hospital – Applied Gene and Cell Therapy Center to bring you expert-led discussions and interactions, new technologies, case study reviews, and networking opportunities in a fun and inspiring venue - the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

👉 Find out more and register soon: https://biolifesolutions.com/the-cell-summit/

05/20/2026

Last week Dr. Robert Ben and Rebecca Mercier attended the Canadian Glycomics Network - GlycoNet's Annual Symposium in beautiful and serene Canmore, Alberta.

Dr. Ben, a keynote speaker, gave an interesting presentation on how ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs), a carbohydrate-derived technology, can protect cell function during freezing by controlling ice crystal growth and improve cell stability post-thaw. Dr. Ben spoke about how IRIs could better serve cell therapy and regenerative medicine industries.

We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the latest innovations in glycomics research. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the BioLife Solutions table.

We hope to see you next year!