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Global Services. (Creative Biolabs Authorized)

CAR-T Gene Packaging and Delivery Services

Q: What's the difference between lentiviral and retroviral vectors, and how do I pick?

Lentiviral works on both active (dividing) and resting T cells, sticks the CAR gene into the T cell's DNA so it stays expressed long—great if you need CAR-Ts to work in animals for a while. Retroviral only works on dividing T cells (so you need to activate them first) and can't hold as much genetic stuff, but it's faster. Good for short lab experiments where speed matters. We'll help you choose based on your T cells (resting vs. active) and how long you need the CAR to stick around.

Q: Can you work with autologous T-cell samples, and how do you keep them from getting mixed up?

Yep, we do autologous samples (from the patient or model you're studying) all the time. Every sample gets a unique barcode—tracked from when we isolate the T cells to when we expand them. We only process one autologous sample at a time in a dedicated cabinet, and we clean it with UV and chemicals between samples. We also run control tests to make sure no other cells or DNA get in. If you're using donor T cells (allogeneic), we can also help with TCR deletion to lower GVHD risk.

Q: Do you provide regulatory support for IND filings? Do you help with IND/CTA filings, and what does that include?

We do—we follow FDA and EMA rules for pre-clinical tests, and our CoA has all the data regulators need. It includes every step of production, how we tested things (like vector titer or endotoxins), and raw results (flow plots, PCR data for RCVs). Our regulatory team can also check your docs to make sure nothing's missing—we've helped clients get their IND approved on the first try because all the data is clear and follows the rules.

Q: Can you customize the CAR construct—like adding specific parts or safety switches?

For sure. If you want a different costimulatory domain (like OX40 instead of 4-1BB), we'll add it. For safety, we can put in suicide genes (like iCasp9—lets you kill CAR-Ts if there are side effects) or miRNA sites (stops CAR from working in healthy cells). We've also added signal peptides to get the CAR on the cell surface better, or dual reporters (GFP + luciferase) for tracking. Just tell us what you need, and we'll design and test it.

Q: What if I already have a CAR plasmid—can you use it, and what checks do you do?

Absolutely. First, we look at the plasmid map to make sure it has the parts we need (like LTRs and packaging signals). Then we test if it's pure (no degradation) and has low endotoxins—if not, we'll clean it up. We also do a small test run to make sure the plasmid makes working vector and gets the CAR on T cells. If we find a problem (like a missing part), we'll tell you early so we can fix it—no wasted time on failed runs.

Online Inquiry

CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy has transformed how we treat hematological malignancies, and its potential for solid tumors keeps growing. But turning a promising CAR-T idea into a viable pre-clinical candidate isn't easy—gene packaging and delivery are the make-or-break steps. Many teams struggle with inconsistent viral vector titers that lead to spotty T-cell transduction, off-target CAR expression that raises safety concerns, or slow scaling that delays timelines. These issues don't just hold back research—they put valuable therapies at risk of never reaching the next stage.

Diagram depicting lentiviral vector design, T cell activation characteristics, and the workflow for CAR-T cell transduction Fig.1 Schematic of lentiviral vector design, T cell activation dynamics, and CAR-T transduction workflow^1,2

Your Strategic Advantage in CAR-T Development

You shouldn't have to slow down because of complicated packaging or delivery hurdles. We bring the expertise, tools, and teamwork to help you move faster and avoid common pitfalls.

Seamless Scalability

Our setup grows with your project—no drop in quality. If you start with small batches (like 10⁶ CAR-T cells for in vitro tests to check target binding), we can scale up to large pre-clinical batches (10⁹ cells for in vivo efficacy studies) without changing how we ensure consistency. Whether you need a few vials of vector or a full batch of CAR-T cells, the performance stays the same.

Collaborative Scientific Partnership

Our scientists (all with PhDs in fields like immunology or viral biology) don't just follow your instructions—they join your team. If you're stuck choosing between a 4-1BB or CD28 costimulatory domain for your CAR, they'll walk you through the pros and cons. If your vector titer was low in past tests, they'll help tweak the design. They proactively share ideas to make your project stronger, not just check boxes.

Uncompromising Quality & Safety

Safety is built into every step, not added on at the end. We use third-generation lentiviral vectors—these only have three essential HIV-1 genes (gag, pol, rev), so there's almost no risk of making RCVs. Every batch of vector and CAR-T cells goes through strict tests: we check for sterility, measure endotoxin levels, and confirm no RCVs are present. We won't send you anything that doesn't meet pre-clinical standards.

Timeline-Driven Project Management

We know you have deadlines—grant submissions, partner meetings, or pre-clinical start dates. That's why every project gets a dedicated manager who keeps you in the loop. They share updates weekly, flag any potential delays early, and make sure everyone on our team stays on track. You'll never be left waiting to hear if your batch is ready.

Workflow: A Clear Path from Concept to Delivery

Our process is transparent and step-by-step, so you always know what's next and what to expect. Every phase is checked for quality before moving forward.

01Design & Construction

Collaborative CAR/vector design (suicide gene, reporter integration as needed), codon optimization, and high-purity plasmid DNA production.

02Production & Purification

Scalable viral vector packaging (293T cells) + purification; T-cell isolation, activation, transduction (optimal MOI), and expansion.

03QC & Delivery

Rigorous testing (flow cytometry, cytotoxicity, sterility); detailed Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and on-time CAR-T cell delivery.

Our Comprehensive Service Suite

We offer a comprehensive menu of services designed to support your project at any stage, from initial vector design to CAR-T cell generation.

CAR Construct & Vector Design

Custom CAR builds: Use your scFv (or our library) + add costimulatory domains, signal peptides, or safety elements (e.g., iCasp9).
Vector tweaks: Modify lentiviral/retroviral backbones (e.g., add miRNA target sites to block off-target CAR expression).
Reporter integration: Incorporate GFP, RFP, or luciferase for CAR-T cell tracking in experiments.

Viral Vector Packaging

Lentiviral packaging: Third-generation vectors (up to 10⁸ TU/mL) with batch-specific purification and titer/purity/RCV testing.
Retroviral packaging: Fast, efficient vectors for activated T cells, with quality checks for every batch.
Vector customization: Pseudotype with VSV-G (broad T-cell compatibility) or other envelopes for targeted transduction.

T-Cell Transduction & CAR-T Generation

At the core of this workflow, CAR transfection in T cells is our expert service.

T-cell isolation: Pure T-cell separation from your PBMCs via density gradient centrifugation.
Activation & transduction: Optimized antibody/cytokine mixes for T-cell activation + MOI testing (3–5 options) for optimal transduction.
Expansion: Grow CAR-T cells in xeno-free/serum-free media to your target cell count.
Specialized production services: Universal CAR-T (UCAR-T) Production, Primary Mouse CAR-T Production, Rapid CAR-T Production, CAR-T Cell Engineering.

Quality Assessment Services

Pre-clinical grade vectors manufactured with stringent quality control for in vivo studies. Functional tests: Cytotoxicity assays (e.g., ⁵¹Cr release) + cytokine release assays (IFN-γ, IL-2) to validate CAR-T activity.
Phenotypic tests: Flow cytometry for CAR expression, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, and memory T-cell markers (e.g., CD62L).
Safety tests: Sterility, mycoplasma, LAL endotoxin, and PCR-based RCV assays for all vector batches.

Advanced Technology Platform

Our services use proven, cutting-edge tech to make sure your CAR-T project succeeds.

Third-Generation Lentiviral Vector System

We've refined our lentiviral vectors to be as safe and effective as possible. We removed all non-essential HIV-1 sequences—only keeping the parts that help the vector package and integrate (LTRs, RRE). This means there's almost no chance of the vector recombining to make RCVs. We also use VSV-G pseudotyping, which makes the vector more stable and lets it transduce different T-cell subsets (even resting ones) —this is a big plus for consistency.

Precision Transduction Optimization

MOI Calibration: We don't just use a "one-size-fits-all" MOI. For every project, we test 3–5 MOIs (from 1 to 10) to find the one that gives >70% CAR expression without killing T cells. This ensures you get functional CAR-T cells, not just high expression.

Cytokine Blends: We use mixes like IL-2 + IL-15 to activate T cells—this doesn't just boost transduction efficiency, it also helps make more memory T cells (which last longer in vivo).

Non-Viral Options: If you don't want to use virus based transfection (e.g., for early research), we offer non-viral methods like electroporation transfection and transposon based transfection —this is good for transient CAR expression.

Quality: Our Non-Negotiable Guarantee

We give you full transparency so you can trust the products you get from us.

Detailed Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

Every shipment comes with a CoA that has all the details you need:

Batch number and production date
Vector titer (functional: TU/mL; physical: p24 ELISA results)
CAR expression rate (with flow cytometry histograms)
Cytotoxicity data (percentage of tumor cells killed)
Sterility, mycoplasma, and endotoxin test results
RCV assay outcome (always negative for our batches)

Strict Release Criteria

We don't release any product until it passes these checks:

Lentiviral vector titer ≥ 10⁶ TU/mL
CAR expression on T cells ≥ 70%
Endotoxin levels < 5 EU/mL
No bacterial/fungal growth (sterility test)
No mycoplasma (PCR test)
No RCVs (qPCR test)

Enabling Breakthroughs Across Applications

Our services work for all kinds of CAR-T projects, from basic research to pre-clinical tests.

Hematological Malignancy Research

Generate CAR-T cells for leukemia/lymphoma/multiple myeloma (targeting CD19, BCMA, CD22) with long-term CAR expression for extended in vivo mouse model testing.

Solid Tumor CAR-T Development

Support solid tumor studies (neuroblastoma/breast/colorectal cancer, targeting GD2, HER2, CEA) via CAR construct modifications to enhance T-cell tumor penetration and block immunosuppression (e.g., PD-1).

Pre-Clinical Candidate Validation

Produce pre-clinical-grade CAR-T cells/vectors per GLP guidelines, with CoAs containing regulatory-ready data for IND/CTA filings.

Basic Research & Target Validation

Fast delivery of small-batch, high-quality CAR-T cells for early-stage work (new antigen testing, gene function studies, CAR-T-tumor interaction research).

What Our Clients Say

"We fought with low CAR expression for months—our CD19-CAR T cells barely hit 45%, and we couldn't get reliable data for our lymphoma research. Then we worked with Creative Biolabs. They didn't just take our construct—they looked at the sequence, found a codon issue that slowed protein production, and tweaked the signal peptide to get the CAR on the cell surface better. Then they tested 5 different MOIs, found one that got us to 85% CAR-positive cells, and kept T-cell viability over 90%. The CoA they gave was super detailed too—had flow charts, cytokine levels, and how well the cells killed Raji cells. That helped us get a research grant for mouse studies. Now we use them for every CAR-T project—they fix the stuff that holds us up."

Dr. Luisa Mendez

Principal Investigator

"As a small biotech focused on multiple myeloma, we don't have the gear to scale CAR-T production. We needed 10⁶ BCMA-CAR T cells first for lab tests, then 10⁹ cells 6 weeks later for animal studies. Creative Biolabs handled it perfectly. They used the same media, activation mix, and purification steps for both batches—no quality drop. The first small batch was spot-on: 78% CAR expression, almost no endotoxins, no RCVs. The big batch even came 2 days early, and the CD4/CD8 ratio and memory cell count were the same as the small one. Their project manager updated us every week, fixed a minor vector delay in 2 days, and even joined a last-minute call with our partner. No surprises—just solid help."

Ryan Patel

Chief Scientific Officer

"We needed a custom HER2-CAR with a luciferase reporter to track cells in mouse breast cancer studies. Creative Biolabs tested two luciferase types, picked high-brightness luciferase because it's brighter and doesn't mess with T cells. But the first batch had weak signal—they jumped in, did a Western blot, found the luciferase was breaking down, added a tag to stabilize it, and re-made the cells in 5 days. This time the signal was 3x brighter, so we could track CAR-Ts in tumors for 3 weeks. They didn't blame ‘variability'—they fixed it and showed us how. They're not just a vendor—they're on our team."

Dr. Sarah Torres

Director of Cell Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Find quick answers here. For more specific inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact us.

What's the difference between lentiviral and retroviral vectors, and how do I pick?

Lentiviral works on both active (dividing) and resting T cells, sticks the CAR gene into the T cell's DNA so it stays expressed long—great if you need CAR-Ts to work in animals for a while. Retroviral only works on dividing T cells (so you need to activate them first) and can't hold as much genetic stuff, but it's faster. Good for short lab experiments where speed matters. We'll help you choose based on your T cells (resting vs. active) and how long you need the CAR to stick around.

Can you work with autologous T-cell samples, and how do you keep them from getting mixed up?

Yep, we do autologous samples (from the patient or model you're studying) all the time. Every sample gets a unique barcode—tracked from when we isolate the T cells to when we expand them. We only process one autologous sample at a time in a dedicated cabinet, and we clean it with UV and chemicals between samples. We also run control tests to make sure no other cells or DNA get in. If you're using donor T cells (allogeneic), we can also help with TCR deletion to lower GVHD risk.

Do you provide regulatory support for IND filings? Do you help with IND/CTA filings, and what does that include?

We do—we follow FDA and EMA rules for pre-clinical tests, and our CoA has all the data regulators need. It includes every step of production, how we tested things (like vector titer or endotoxins), and raw results (flow plots, PCR data for RCVs). Our regulatory team can also check your docs to make sure nothing's missing—we've helped clients get their IND approved on the first try because all the data is clear and follows the rules.

Can you customize the CAR construct—like adding specific parts or safety switches?

For sure. If you want a different costimulatory domain (like OX40 instead of 4-1BB), we'll add it. For safety, we can put in suicide genes (like iCasp9—lets you kill CAR-Ts if there are side effects) or miRNA sites (stops CAR from working in healthy cells). We've also added signal peptides to get the CAR on the cell surface better, or dual reporters (GFP + luciferase) for tracking. Just tell us what you need, and we'll design and test it.

What if I already have a CAR plasmid—can you use it, and what checks do you do?

Absolutely. First, we look at the plasmid map to make sure it has the parts we need (like LTRs and packaging signals). Then we test if it's pure (no degradation) and has low endotoxins—if not, we'll clean it up. We also do a small test run to make sure the plasmid makes working vector and gets the CAR on T cells. If we find a problem (like a missing part), we'll tell you early so we can fix it—no wasted time on failed runs.

References

Li, Lingyu et al. "Lentiviral delivery of combinatorial CAR/CRISPRi circuit into human primary T cells is enhanced by TBK1/IKKɛ complex inhibitor BX795." Journal of translational medicine vol. 18,1 363. 23 Sep. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02526-2
Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

All products and services are For Research Use Only and CANNOT be used in the treatment or diagnosis of disease.