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NSF ATP-Bio & EARTH Joint Public Webinar featuring Dr. Jason Acker and Dr. Robert Ben
Date:
Improved Refrigeration for Next Generation Cryopreservation
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT | 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET | 1:00 – 2:00 PM PT
Featuring: Dr. Jason Acker and Dr. Robert Ben
Delivering Improved Cryoprotection: The PanTHERA Story
This presentation details the discovery, development, and clinical impact of PanTHERA CryoSolutions’ novel Ice Recrystallization Inhibitor (IRI) technology. Inspired by biological antifreeze mechanisms, PanTHERA’s small-molecule platform prevents ice recrystallization—the damaging growth and coalescence of ice crystals during cryopreservation, cold storage, and thawing. By controlling ice crystal size, IRI technology addresses critical bottlenecks in cell-based therapy manufacturing and delivery.
Incorporating IRIs into cryopreservation protocols significantly enhances post-thaw cell recovery, structural integrity, and therapeutic efficacy across sensitive cell types, including stem cells and immune therapies. Crucially, this platform mitigates the cell toxicity associated with traditional cryoprotective agents like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by allowing much lower concentrations to be used effectively. Furthermore, IRIs shield cellular products from damage caused by transient thermal fluctuations during handling, shipping, and biobanking. Ultimately, by enabling higher sub-zero storage temperatures and reducing reliance on liquid nitrogen infrastructure, PanTHERA’s platform streamlines cold-chain logistics and improves global access to advanced cellular therapies.