Harvard and Cellular Intelligence Advance Living Cell Therapies

Scientists at Harvard University have engineered an implantable bacterial bioreactor that can survive up to six months in the body and release an antibacterial compound only when it detects the hospital pathogen *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. The construct encloses genetically programmed *E. coli* within a hydrogel matrix surrounded by a biocompatible polymer shell, preventing uncontrolled bacterial growth while providing on‑demand drug release in mouse studies. The report also reviews the broader field of “living therapies,” including CAR‑T cells that are already being tested in hundreds of clinical trials for various cancers.

Separately, biotech firm Cellular Intelligence secured a deal with pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk to develop STEM‑PD, an experimental cell‑based therapy for Parkinson’s disease. The approach aims to replace lost dopamine‑producing neurons rather than merely alleviate symptoms. The partnership gives Cellular Intelligence rights to the worldwide program and includes milestone and licensing payments to Novo Nordisk. The company also plans to use its AI‑driven platform to monitor and optimise the delicate manufacturing processes required for consistent stem‑cell products, a key hurdle for scaling such therapies.