So what’s the end goal of using these transfection reagents – what’s the bigger picture?
They’re used to manufacture gene therapies or cell therapies – treatments that can potentially cure genetic diseases with just one single dose. Imagine a baby born with a missing protein that prevents muscle development. With the right therapy, made possible thanks to our reagents, their daily life can be largely improved. It’s that powerful. However, these therapies are extremely costly due to the development and production efforts and risks. In helping our customers simplify their workflows, we also aim to contribute to making these therapies more accessible.
Just like in a Lego tower, every piece matters.
Alengo Nyamay’Antu
That’s a powerful vision. But how exactly do these transfection reagents work?
It's just like Lego, but with molecules. Our chemists build molecules, lipids or polymers, that can carry genetic material like DNA or RNA. When connecting to DNA, for example, they form tiny capsules that protect the DNA and help it enter the cell. Once inside, you could say it’s hijacking the cell’s natural behavior, because the cell treats this new DNA as if it were its own. And that’s how gene therapies can take effect. And just like in a Lego tower, every piece matters – if one is missing, the structure doesn’t hold.
I often describe what we do at our facility in Illkirch as one piece of the very large Sartorius structure. Our transfection reagents are just one part of the overall workflow for bringing cell and gene therapies to life – but without that piece, the whole thing wouldn’t stand. Again, like a Lego tower.
Transfection results of new genetic expression into cells
Why is the Illkirch team such an important part of the puzzle?
Before the acquisition, Sartorius offered many pieces of the cell and gene therapy value chain – but one key piece was missing: transfection reagents. Without them, you can’t get DNA or RNA into cells, and without that, there’s no therapy. That’s why they’re considered a critical raw material – absolutely essential, with no workaround. Now, together, we can support our customers from early research to full-scale production – from the lab bench all the way to patients.
Why does the production quality of transfection reagents matter – isn’t “lab grade” or “clean” already good enough?
In early research, lab-grade reagents might be sufficient. But when it comes to producing therapies for human patients, every detail matters and every molecule has to be accounted for. That’s where GMP-grade comes in. These reagents aren’t just “clean” – they’re produced under pharmaceutical-grade standards, with full documentation and quality control at every step. That’s why we’ve just opened a GMP-ready production facility here in Illkirch. It’s a big step for us, and one we’re very proud of.
Sartorius site at Illkirch, France
The site has evolved remarkably since you joined. Tell us more about your work and team culture.
When I joined Polyplus in 2016, we were a much smaller team than we are today with around 100 employees. With the new GMP-ready facility, we’ve brought in new expertise, people with experience from other companies and backgrounds. And even though we’re part of a global infrastructure, and in our international team, having the chance to work with colleagues spread across other countries, the Illkirch site still feels like home. Many of us come to the office almost every day – not because we have to, but because we want to. There's a strong team spirit here. In this work environment, you can do amazing stuff.
If it helps just 10 people a year – it still matters.
Alengo Nyamay’Antu
What, in your view, makes the work of your team in cell and gene therapy meaningful today?
We’re not the ones making the drugs – our customers are. But we are part of the solution, because we enable them to do it better, faster, and with higher quality. And when they succeed, especially in developing treatments for rare or untreatable diseases, that’s when it really hits home. I have kids, and I know how much we take modern medicine for granted. We talk about vaccines like they’re normal, but they’re not – they’re incredible. And if a treatment ends up helping just 10 people a year, it still matters. If one of those 10 is your child, it means everything. One of my family members has Parkinson’s. When someone close to you is living with a disease that still has no cure, it suddenly becomes very real. I don’t claim we save lives, we’re suppliers, but if what we do helps someone develop a therapy for conditions like Parkinson’s, that’s deeply meaningful.
We are part of the solution, because we enable our customers to do it better, faster, and with higher quality.
Alengo Nyamay’Antu
If you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be?
Fun, relevant, and pioneering. There’s never a dull moment – the field is moving fast, and that’s exactly what keeps it exciting. What we do has real-world impact, and we’re always exploring new directions and perspectives to support our customers in their work. I also love the mix of science and communication in my daily work – it’s about translating complex data into a clear story.
But above all, what makes it truly rewarding is the team. Without the people I work with – their energy, expertise, and collaboration – none of this would be possible. That’s what keeps me going.
