Case Study: Autolus achieves rapid, robust automated CAR T‑cell cytotoxicity assays with Synthace's Antha

Automated Cellular Cytotoxicity Assays with Autolus

Autolus, a clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing CAR T‑cell therapies, needed to make routine cellular cytotoxicity assays more flexible, robust and scalable while protecting delicate live cells. To address this, Autolus adopted Synthace’s cloud‑based software platform Antha (used with a Gilson PIPETMAX liquid handler) to remove the need for custom coding and streamline assay setup and execution.

Synthace delivered an Antha workflow that lets scientists design, simulate and run complex cytotoxicity assays, including DOE‑guided optimization of liquid‑handling policies; the automated runs maintained cell viability and transfer accuracy equivalent to manual setup while dramatically improving pipetting consistency (CV 3.66% with Antha vs 23.17% manually). Using Synthace’s Antha, Autolus rapidly ran reproducible assays that confirmed three CAR constructs reduced tumour cell growth and that next‑generation CARs could bypass inhibitory cytokine signalling, enabling more scalable, reliable testing and greater walkaway time for scientists.

Autolus