A Game Changing Cell
Selection and Activation
Technology
Cell Therapy’s universal microbubble,
an adaptable cell selection and
activation technology
Our cell selection and activation technology is based on Bracco’s long-standing use of microbubble technology in the clinical diagnostic imaging space.
Our streptavidin-conjugated microbubble technology enables positive, negative, and sequential cell selection without magnetic residuals.
This gives researchers and manufacturers greater yield, control, and flexibility downstream across R&D and GMP workflows.
Bracco’s cell selection and activation
microbubble at a glance
Antibody-Driven Targeting
Biotinylated antibody driven targeting enables precise selection of a wide range of immune cell subsets (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, TCR γ/δ, CD34).
T Cell Activation
Achieve T cell selection and activation simultaneously with Bracco’s microbubbles.
Biocompatible and Traceless
Our non-magnetic technology provides gentle, bead-free separation of target cells to support downstream cell therapy workflows.
Positive, Negative, and Sequential Selection
Perform positive, negative, and sequential selection using the same workflow.
Open Technology Ready for Integration
System is open and ready for integration into your automated, closed platform(s).
Clean Cell Release
Cells are released by “popping” the bubbles through gas exchange for efficient selection.
Cell selection and activation microbubble overview
Lipid microbubbles composed of phospholipids, streptavidin, and a gas core bind biotinylated antibodies targeting cell surface markers (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8).
Bracco’s cell selection and activation microbubbles are lyophilized
Lyophilized microbubbles are stable for up to 3 years at 4°C and 3 months post-reconstitution at 4°C.
How can Bracco’s cell selection and activation
technology work for you?
For Academic & Translational Research Labs
- Target rare and sensitive cell populations with confidence (e.g., TCR γ/δ enrichment, CD34+ selection, cells expressing other specific extracellular markers).
- Design complex selection strategies (simultaneous or sequential) without workflow friction.
- Generate higher quality cells for downstream analysis through gentle, bead free handling.
For Cell Therapy Developers
- Optimize cell composition early with direct sorts from fresh or frozen leukopaks, maintaining performance while increasing yield, cost efficiency, and saving time.
- Enable sequential selection strategies for more sophisticated cell therapy designs.
- Improve reproducibility via straightforward protocols amenable to automation.
For GMP & Manufacturing Teams
- Reduce process risk with non magnetic and traceless residuals.
- Support scalable, downstream compatible workflows with bead/column free separation.
- Leverage lyophilized MB stability (up to 3 years at 4°C; 3 months post reconstitution at 4°C) and pilot to commercial manufacturing capacity.
For Cell Therapy Technology Developers
- Integrate seamlessly with fully open, automation ready microbubble technology designed for closed, end to end systems.
- Enable flexible workflow design with bead free, column free separation compatible with a wide range of platforms and modalities.
- Accelerate development timelines with a modular system that adapts easily to custom protocols, multiplexed targets, and evolving process requirements.
The cell selection and activation process
with Bracco’s microbubbles
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Example of CD3+ cell separation using Bracco’s Human CD3 Biotin
Positive Selection Antibody and Streptavidin Microbubbles.
Before Separation
62.2% CD3+ cells
After Separation
Positive Fraction 99.5% CD3+ cells
After Separation
Negative Fraction 1.8% CD3+ cells
Built to drive cell therapies
Bracco has made significant investments in infrastructure to support the cell therapy field, including its newly unveiled GMP ready manufacturing facility in Geneva, Switzerland. With this site and others worldwide, Bracco is equipped to support cell therapy programs from early R&D through full GMP scale.
Empower your therapy with protected innovation
Our robust and differentiated IP portfolio safeguards your pathway to market, ensuring clear freedom to operate and long term commercial viability.
This includes:
US patent no. 9,364,569
US patent no. 11,426,352
US patent no. 12,449,418
Our Team
Sophie He, PhD
Vice President, Cell Therapy,
Head of M&A and Partnering
Research & Development, Switzerland
Thierry Bettinger, PhD
Bracco Research Center Geneva Director
Samir Cherkaoui, PhD
Novel Agents Department Manager
Research & Development, China
Jiemeng Li, PhD
R&D Manager
Corporate Development
Umberto Da Ros
M&A and BD Manager Global
Michael Godeny, PhD
Senior Director, Cell Therapy Partnerships
Marianna Mainardi Koga, PhD
Senior Manager, Cell Therapy Europe
Marisa Reinoso
Director, Cell Therapy Partnerships
Xiaojie He
Strategy and BD Manager, China
Comparing Cell Selection Technologies
| Category | Bracco | Competitor A | Competitor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection Method | Positive selection with benefits of negative selection (bubbles are traceless and pop) | Primarily negative selection | Negative and positive selection; de-beading options for positive selection |
| Mechanism | Buoyancy assisted cell sorting | Buoyancy assisted cell sorting | Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) |
| Core Technology | Polydisperse lipid-shelled microbubbles with gaseous core, coated with streptavidin | Polydisperse microbubbles with a glass shell, coated with antibodies or streptavidin | Iron oxide particles with polymer shell, coated with antibodies/ligands |
| Protocol | Bind target cells to biotinylated antibody and bubbles, float and remove top layer of target cells | Bind bubbles to unwanted cells, float and remove unwanted cells, washes for platelets | Incubate with beads, column separation, washes, optional bead detachment |
| Core Technology Removal | Bubbles pop with pressure or naturally | No bubble removal; washes suggested | Detachable bead protocols for positive selection |
| Core Technology Risks | Biocompatible lipid microbubbles based on contrast agents (Bracco core technology) | Glass bubbles risk breakage; full removal required | Metal beads require full removal and controls |
| Specialized Equipment Required | None | None | Magnet and Columns |
| Workflow | Open– Scalable and automatable | Open– Scalable and automatable | Closed– Scalable and automatable within vendor parameters using vendor’s consumables |
News
Bracco Enters Cell Therapy Manufacturing with Cell Selection and Activation Technologies
Read more
Bracco, Limula & University of Fribourg Join Forces to Improve Cell & Gene Therapy Manufacturing
Read more
Innovation in Cell Therapy: Bracco Imaging Forms Strategic Partnership with CellBri
We’re proud to announce a new partnership between Bracco Imaging Medical Technologies (Shanghai) and Shenzhen Cellbri Bio-Innovation Technology, aimed at transforming CAR-T cell therapy manufacturing — one of the most promising areas in personalized cancer treatment.
Read more
Events
Advanced Therapies Week | San Diego, CA | Feb 9 – 12, 2026
Come meet our team in the Innovation Zone to discuss your cell selection and activation needs. Discover whether our universal cell therapy microbubble technology can help, and don’t miss our latest data update on our cell selection and activation technology on Tuesday, Feb 10 from 1:00 – 1:15 pm.
BioChina 2026 | Suzhou, China | Mar 12 – 14
Our team is headed to Suzhou for BIOCHINA 2026, Asia’s largest gathering of biopharma leaders and innovators. We look forward to connecting with you at our booth to discuss your cell selection and activation needs and explore how our microbubble based cell selection and activation technology can enhance and streamline your cell therapy workflows.
Advanced Therapies UK 2026 | ExCel, London, UK | Mar 17 – 18
Our team is headed to London for Advanced Therapies UK 2026, where we look forward to connecting with you about your cell selection and activation needs. Reach out to [email protected] to discuss how our cell selection and activation microbubble technology could optimize your cell therapy workflows.
Meeting on the Med | Rome, Italy | Apr 28 - 30
Connect with us onsite at Meeting on the Med. Reach out to us at [email protected] or through the conference app to explore how our cell selection and activation microbubble technology can support your cell therapy programs.
ISCT 2026 | Dublin, Ireland | May 6 - 9
Meet us at our booth at ISCT 2026, where we’ll be sharing the latest advances in our cell selection and activation microbubble technology. Keep an eye on the evolving conference agenda to join our presentation focused on streamlining cell selection and activation, and be sure to connect with us through the partnering app to schedule time with our team.
FAQs
-
What are lipid-based microbubbles, and how do they work?
Our microbubbles are tiny, lipid-based structures designed to selectively bind and isolate target cells. They leverage surface chemistry to attach to specific markers, enabling efficient cell selection and activation without the need for beads or columns. Learn more
How do microbubbles differ from traditional bead-based or column-based methods?
Unlike bead or column systems, microbubbles provide a gentle, bead-free, and column-free approach. This reduces mechanical stress on cells, simplifies workflows, and eliminates the need for magnetic or filtration equipment. Learn more
What makes your technology gentle compared to other cell separation techniques?
Microbubbles minimize shear forces and avoid harsh physical constraints, preserving cell integrity and viability. This is critical for sensitive cell types used in cell therapy.
What Is Cell Selection and
Why Does It Matter?
Cell selection is the process of precisely isolating desired cell populations based on specific biological markers while preserving cell function and viability. Unlike traditional cell separation, which focuses on bulk isolation, Bracco’s approach enables greater specificity, sequential targeting, and higher quality starting material for cell therapies—supported by data across CD3⁺ T cells, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ subsets, CD34+ stem cells, and rare TCR γ/δ populations.
Contact Us
If you are interested in exploring how a magnetic bead-free cell selection and activation technology could help optimize your cell therapy workflow, connect with us here.
Cell Therapy Regulatory Resources
Flexible Requirements for Cell and Gene Therapies to Advance Innovation | FDA
EASYGEN: Advancing CAR-T Cell Therapy for cancer in Europe
US-CLL-2600001 02/26