Panthera CryoSolutions

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!

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jason Acker on his acceptance of being a new Scientific Board Member at NSF ATP-Bio. 👏

ATP-Bio’s goals are to significantly expand the capacity to preserve and transport cells, tissues, organs, etc. through a collaborative effort focused on developing innovative and modern biopreservation technologies.

Dr. Acker is looking forward to applying his expertise in cryopreservation, stem cells, bioinformatics, and hematology to benefit the pioneering studies and programs at ATP-Bio.

04/15/2026

Frozen may not mean stable…🧊

As cell and gene therapies scale, cryopreservation can’t be treated as a one-time development step. In real world manufacturing and distribution, routine handling creates small temperature fluctuations, known as transient warming events (TWEs), that can silently impact cell viability and potency.

If designing therapies to tolerate real world variability is the path to delivering consistent outcomes on a commercial scale, then the addition of ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs) may be the key. 🧬

How can IRIs enhance my cells? Find out here: https://medcitynews.com/2026/03/frozen-does-not-mean-stable-rethinking-cryopreservation-in-cell-and-gene-therapy-manufacturing/

💭 Are you looking to improve your cryopreservation process or need help with reduced post-thaw survival?

Ask away at BioLife’s “Ask the Scientists”: https://www.biolifesolutions.com/cell-processing/biopreservation-media/ask-the-scientists/

04/08/2026

As NK-cell therapies continue to advance, optimizing cryopreservation outcomes remains a key area of innovation.

In a new Cell & Gene Therapy Insights Spotlight article, Dr. Jason Acker of PanTHERA CryoSolutions, now part of BioLife Solutions, Inc., reviews emerging strategies that may help improve NK-cell cryopreservation, including cytokine-based conditioning, ice recrystallization inhibitors, automated manufacturing workflows, and AI-guided optimization. 💡

As the field advances, innovation in cryoprotectant design and process optimization will continue to shape the future of off-the-shelf NK-cell therapies.

Read the article: https://www.insights.bio/cell-and-gene-therapy-insights/journal/article/3742/the-cryosensitivity-of-nk-cells-overcoming-postthaw-decline

What innovations do you believe will have the greatest impact on NK-cell recovery and function post-thaw? Tell us in the comments. 👇

04/07/2026

The PanTHERA team was proud to be recognized at the second annual 2026 YEG Acquisition Party with support from Edmonton Unlimited! 🎉

This event congratulated Edmonton-based companies that went through an acquisition in 2025, while also highlighting the journey from start-up to present day.

PanTHERA CryoSolutions was acquired by BioLife Solutions, Inc. last year. Jason Acker and Ana Clementin were onsite to celebrate, share their experiences, and encourage other local companies to stay the course.

Investment, growth, and innovation are possible with the right strategic partner. ☑️

03/06/2026

Call for Visual Art & Scientific Imagery

We invite GlycoNet members and trainees to submit original visual art, photography, or scientific images for the cover of the Book of Abstracts for the 9th Canadian Glycomics Symposium. Submissions should highlight the visual side of glycomics research.

Submit here: https://forms.gle/y613AQ8qodHxZhzCA

02/20/2026

Don't miss out on early bird registration. Dr. Robert Ben, co-founder of PanTHERA, is a keynote speaker this year.

🎉 Registration is now open! 🎉

Join us at the 9th Canadian Glycomics Symposium, taking place May 12–14, 2026 in Canmore, Alberta. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Rockies, the symposium brings together researchers, trainees, and industry partners for three days of scientific exchange, discussion, and networking.
From cutting-edge research presentations to focused discussions and community-building opportunities, CGS 2026 is where the glycomics community comes together to connect, collaborate, and share discoveries.

💡 Early bird registration ends April 12 — don’t miss your chance to register at a reduced rate.

🔗 Register now: https://symposium.canadianglycomics.ca/registration/

Looking to showcase your organization at the forefront of bioinnovation? Sponsorship opportunities are also available: https://symposium.canadianglycomics.ca/sponsors/

01/29/2026

A new study published in Cytotherapy investigates the functional impact of transient warming events (TWEs), which are brief warming and re-cooling cycles, on cryopreserved cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) grafts.

Using a controlled and operationally realistic TWE model, Canadian Blood Services and PanTHERA’s own Robert Ben systematically examine how temperature thresholds, cryopreservation solutions, DMSO concentration, and ice recrystallization influence post-thaw cell viability and stem cell graft potency.💡

The results demonstrate that ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs) provide strong protection against the damaging effects of ice crystal growth and can prevent ice recrystallization. 🛡️

⏩ Improve your post-thaw viability and function: https://www.isct-cytotherapy.org/article/S1465-3249(25)00903-X/abstract

Image: Impact of IRI 2FA supplementation on the recovery of viable cells and potency post-TWE. Check out the yellow underlined stat bars in B and C to see a statistically significant difference between TWE -50°C with DMSO alone and TWE -50°C with IRI 10 µM.

01/28/2026

Have you seen our November 2025 tutorial with on ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI) technology? 👀

If you missed this feature and you’re looking to better understand the impact of uncontrolled ice crystal growth on your cells, then read on!

Ice recrystallization decreases the post-thaw cell quality and function of cells and tissues that have been cryopreserved. Ice recrystallization can also leave cells more vulnerable to cryoinjury during freezing, storage, and thawing.

The latest IRI technology helps to maintain smaller, stable ice crystals during the freezing and thawing process, which can reduce freezing damage and improve stability.

🌬️ Check out how IRIs can enhance your current cryopreservation process:
https://www.genengnews.com/topics/translational-medicine/targeting-ice-recrystallization-to-improve-cryopreservation-consistency/

Image: Ice recrystallization during warming events can lead to cellular damage.

12/31/2025

We’d like to wish all our customers, suppliers, investors, and team members a Happy New Year! 🎆

We are grateful for your dedication, efforts, and passion to move the advanced therapies field forward.

Here’s to an amazing and prosperous 2026! ✨👏

12/22/2025

The PanTHERA team wishes you and your loved ones a healthy, merry, and bright holiday season! ❄️🌟

We’re taking some time off through Friday, January 2, 2026. The PanTHERA team will be refreshed and ready on January 5.