CellFE is a biotechnology company based in Almeda, California that specializes in microfluidic-based cellular engineering, aiming to revolutionize cell therapy manufacturing by enhancing the delivery of gene-editing molecules into human cells. Co-founded by Alla Zamarayeva, Ph.D., who serves as the Chief Executive Officer, CellFE has developed innovative technology to improve the efficiency and scalability of cell therapies. The CellFE platform has applications in gene editing, cell therapy development, and manufacturing. Specifically, it enables efficient gene delivery, especially for large DNA sequences, and supports the development of T-cell therapies like CAR-T, as well as other cell therapies involving iPSCs and hematopoietic stem cells.
Scientific Platform – VECT and Infinity MTx
CellFE’s core technology leverages microfluidics to facilitate the intracellular delivery of therapeutic payloads. The platform employs a process known as Volume Exchange for Convective Transfection (VECT), wherein cells undergo rapid mechanical deformation within a microfluidic channel. This deformation temporarily disrupts the cell membrane, allowing for the convective influx of gene-editing molecules. This method has demonstrated high transfection efficiency while maintaining cell viability, as evidenced by studies detailing the successful delivery of mRNA into T-cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs).
The Infinity MTx platform, a benchtop device developed by CellFE, integrates this microfluidic technology to support research and process development in cell therapies. The system is a non-viral, non-electroporative microfluidic platform designed for efficient and scalable gene delivery into cells to maintain cell health, produce high yields, and enable rapid, complex genome editing, thereby facilitating seamless scalability from research to clinical and commercial applications.
CellFE operates in the competitive landscape of cell therapy manufacturing, focusing on non-viral, non-electroporative delivery methods. Competitors in this space include companies which leverage cell engineering and biological programming for gene and cell-based therapies; forensic genealogy solutions; and others known for genome interpretation software.
CellFE distinguishes itself through its microfluidic-based approach, which offers a safer and more effective solution for complex gene editing by maintaining exceptional cell health and enabling serial editing and integration of large DNA sequences. These advantages position CellFE as a key player in advancing cell therapy manufacturing.
In December 2024, CellFE announced strategic placements of its Infinity MTx platform with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. One such collaboration for hybrid gene editing was debuted at the JP Morgan healthcare Conference 2025 with Syenex, a pioneer in enveloped delivery vectors. These partnerships aim to refine scale-up and scale-out processes essential for the effective production of life-saving therapies, indicating growing confidence in CellFE’s technology and its potential to facilitate the manufacturing and delivery of important medical treatments. In January 2025, CellFE announced the launch of T-Rest™, a transfection media product designed for resting T cell workflows. This product aims to enable safer and more potent CAR-T cell therapies by preserving stem cell memory and reducing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities .
Executive Leadership: Alla Zamarayeva, Ph.D.
Alla Zamarayeva, Ph.D., co-founded CellFE and has been instrumental in developing the company’s team and technology. With a background in engineering and research, she previously served as the William S. Floyd Jr. Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, from September 2014 to December 2019. Under her leadership, CellFE has successfully attracted seasoned biotech experts and secured significant financing to advance its mission of making lifesaving treatments more accessible to patients in need.
To date, CellFE has raised a total of $26.8 million over two funding rounds from 13 investors, including Khosla Ventures and Cota Capital. The latest funding round, a Series A held on September 27, 2023, secured $22 million led by M Ventures, with participation from Great Point Ventures, Riverine Ventures, and existing investors.. This funding is intended to advance the development of CellFE’s technology platform and support the company’s market launch and growth initiatives.
CellFE’s innovative microfluidic platform, under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Alla Zamarayeva, Ph.D., represents a significant advancement in cell therapy manufacturing. The company’s strategic collaborations, robust financial backing, and unique approach to gene editing position it as a leader in the field, poised to make transformative contributions to the development and accessibility of cell-based therapies.