ABY J. MATHEW
Center for Biopreservation Excellence
Enabling cell and regenerative therapies through
optimized biopreservation
The Aby J. Mathew Center for Biopreservation Excellence (“The Center”) is a dedicated hub for advancing cell preservation of cell-based therapeutic products. The Center bridges a critical expertise gap in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) ecosystem, providing developers with data, tools, and mentorship to safeguard potency and accelerate translation.
Cell and gene therapies and regenerative medicine are reshaping healthcare, with hundreds of trials underway and the first commercial treatments are transforming outcomes for patients with diseases and cancers. To deliver such novel therapeutics, logistical flexibility is a clinical and commercial manufacturing need. Cryopreservation is the only modality that would allow such unrestricted flexibility, yet with only a few hundred trained cryobiologists worldwide, many therapy manufacturers are struggling to find the expertise needed and standardized processes to support developing and delivering these therapies reliably and at scale to patients.
We help developers engineer fit-for-purpose biopreservation, fill/finish, and thaw workflows to enable high quality cell-based product manufacturing processes to support the goal of increasing patient access.
Our focus areas
We provide therapy developers with services to design, validate, and standardize cell-processing and cryopreservation workflows that maintain cell viability and potency. Our applied methodologies enable scalable, reproducible processes supported by comprehensive SOPs, work instructions, and batch-record documentation aligned with advanced therapy regulatory expectations. Combined with targeted hands-on training, these services streamline product development and facilitate efficient progression toward clinical translation.
Core competencies:
Cell production
Process characterization to enable optimal cell production and cryopreservation methods. Ask our experts for cell manufacturing platforms, reagents, and tools that readily scale and translate to commercial manufacturing.
Cryopreservation optimization
DoE (Design of Experiments) across cryomedia, density, volume, cooling profiles, transient warming risk assessment, among other process parameters, for maximizing post-thaw potency.
Closed‑system enablement
Mapping open steps to closed processing tools (e.g., CellSeal® Connect, Signata® CT‑5) for scalability of the process with reduced contamination risk and facility complexity.
Formulation, fill and
final dose presentationt
Final dose format, fill accuracy, drug substance and drug product stability, label/traceability considerations.
Storage, shipping, and thaw optimization and stability windows
Thaw method selection, post‑thaw handling/hold‑time ranges, robustness testing.
How an engagement works
Connect with our experts
Submit your inquiry and contact information using the form link below to initiate engagement with our team.
Intake
Our team will follow up to schedule an introductory discussion with subject matter experts to review your needs, our capabilities, and the intake process, leading to a Consulting Agreement1.
Scoping
We conduct a confidential assessment of your project and prepare a detailed proposal for a Service Contract outlining objectives, success criteria, deliverables, and an estimated timeline.
Experimental development
Once a Service Contract is signed, we conduct optimization studies following the mutually agreed upon Service Contract.
Technology transfer
Finalized processes, documentation, and training materials are transferred to your organization to support seamless internal implementation.
1 Consulting Agreement fees will be waived if a Service Contract is signed with The Center.
Connect with
our experts
Submit your project for scoping. Our team will review fit, propose an experimental approach, and align on success criteria and timelines.
Why ‘The Center’
is needed
As a global resource, we define and promote biopreservation best practices for ATMPs (advanced therapy medicinal products) worldwide. The Center is where deep biopreservation science integrates with leading CGT and regenerative medicine process development expertise and robust regulatory insight.
By partnering with us, you gain access to high quality services that address your biopreservation and process development needs while ensuring full alignment with the applicable regulatory framework—supporting the reliable advancement and successful commercialization of your therapeutic programs.
Leadership and expertise
Our goal is to ensure every client receives the highest level of expertise and service as they refine their biopreservation and cell processing steps. We have assembled a team of experts with more than 100 years of combined academic and industrial experience in top cryopreservation research labs and CGT therapeutic companies.
Aby J. Mathew, PhD
Chief Science Officer and Executive Vice President
Advisor – Cryobiologist
Dr. Aby J. Mathew is a recognized thought leader in biopreservation for research, GMP, clinical, and commercial applications; with extensive expertise in cell and tissue biopreservation technologies.
He holds a B.S. in Microbiology and a PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology, and is a co-developer of the industry-leading HypoThermosol® FRS and CryoStor® biopreservation media platforms.
A driving force in Biopreservation Best Practices and the regenerative medicine field, Dr. Mathew has been instrumental in advancing the adoption of improved biopreservation methods and solutions for cell-based products. His contributions include multiple issued or pending patents, along with numerous peer-reviewed journal articles that continue to shape Biopreservation Best Practices in the industry.
Alireza Abazari, PhD
Sr. Director Cell Processing
Team Lead – Cryobiologist
Dr. Alireza Abazari is currently the Senior Director of Cell Processing at BioLife Solutions. In this role, his leadership is in expanding BioLife Solutions capacity to assist customers and clients with product adoption. A deep understanding of biopreservation principles as well as hands-on experience in CAR-T and iPSC process development from his past roles at Pluristyx Inc. and Lyell Immunopharma, enables Alireza in his current role to offer a unique perspective to BioLife customers and clients.
Dr. Abazari received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta where he studied methods for cryopreservation of human tissues for banking. He further studied biopreservation as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, industry white papers, and abstracts on the topic of cryopreservation and process development.
Sean Werner, PhD
Chief Technology Officer
Advisor – Biologist
Sean Werner is the Chief Technology Officer at BioLife Solutions. BioLife acquired Sexton Biotechnologies in 2021 where Sean was President of the company known for providing processing and handling solutions for the CGT industry. Sean has previous experience filling various roles in the scientific, global regulatory, and general management functions supporting medical devices, autologous cell therapy, and single use disposable development programs. In his 23 years working in the life science industry, he has guided regenerative medicine research programs, pre-clinical and clinical testing and submission strategies leading to global commercialization of medical devices and bioprocessing tools and successful initiation of multi-national cell therapy clinical studies. Sean received his PhD from Purdue University in Biology followed by post-doctoral positions at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Eli Lilly.
Martin Campbell, MS
Scientist I
Cell Processing Expert
Marty Campbell is currently a Lead Scientist I at BioLife Solutions, where he supports BioLife’s Aby J. Mathew Center for Biopreservation Excellence. He is a cell therapy specialist with more than 20 years of experience advancing manufacturing, process development, and immunology-driven technologies. After previously focusing on the expansion of patient T cells, he now works on overcoming key barriers in cell therapy manufacturing, including automation and biopreservation operations. His expertise includes GMP manufacturing, cell processing, and complex immunological assays, with hands-on experience across TCR, CAR-T, TIL, NK, and stem cell processes.
Marty has previously held leadership and technical roles at Affini-T Therapeutics, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Dendreon, and Parkedale Pharmaceuticals. He holds an M.S. in Pharmaceutical Bioengineering from the University of Washington and a B.S. in Chemistry from Oakland University.
Jesus Moreno, MS
Research Associate
Lab Technician
Jesus Moreno is a Research Associate in Process Development at BioLife Solutions, supporting the launch and operations of the Aby J. Mathew Center of Biopreservation Excellence. He brings valuable cell and gene therapy experience from his previous role at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he led experiments in process automation, characterization, and prototype assessment. His work frequently involved BioLife products, including CryoStor® CS10 and CellSeal® vials, evaluating their performance across various process conditions.
Jesus has also held research and analytical positions at Sana Biotechnology, IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group, and the Pet Cancer Foundation. He holds an M.S. in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University, a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and an A.S. in Biology from Phoenix College. He is certified as an IBM Data Scientist and a Google Data Analyst.