ARPA-H Awarded $7.3 Million for Cell Preservation
A research team led by Likarda received funding to develop room-temperature storage for cellular therapies.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Biotech
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The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has awarded up to $7.3 million to the Reversible Ambient Biostabilization team. The grant supports efforts to enable the storage of cellular medicines at room temperature.
Why it matters
The project seeks to remove the reliance on cold-chain logistics for biological treatments. If successful, this technology could make advanced medical therapies as easy to distribute as common over-the-counter medications.
The program utilizes specialized physiological mechanisms and bioengineering to preserve cells without refrigeration. This initial development phase is scheduled to span 15 months.
The players
ARPA-H
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health is a federal agency that funds transformative biomedical research to improve health outcomes.
CaseBioscience
Based in Fort Collins, this organization focuses on bioengineering and cell research to advance medical therapy development.
Likarda
Likarda is a research firm that acts as the lead for the Reversible Ambient Biostabilization project team.
The details
Fort Collins-based CaseBioscience joined the Likarda-led research team as one of seven partners tasked with developing the storage technology. The effort integrates specific cell-protective strategies to create shelf-stable biological products.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The initial phase of the program commenced.
October 1, 2026: CaseBioscience announced its participation in the project.
The Tech Race
This development marks a significant move to replace traditional, expensive cold-chain logistics with room-temperature storage capabilities. It positions the participant research teams at the forefront of a technological shift intended to standardize the shipping of biological medicines.
This technology aims to lower the costs and complexity associated with shipping advanced cellular treatments. If successful, these improvements could expand patient access to cutting-edge therapies that currently require strictly regulated transport.
The takeaway
Developing stable, room-temperature storage for cellular medicines is a critical hurdle in making advanced biologics widely available. Simplifying transport requirements is expected to decrease logistical barriers for both healthcare providers and manufacturers.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the field at Biotech.
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