Vitalant, a national blood and biotherapies provider, is expanding its partnership with UPMC to strengthen the health system’s cell and gene therapy programmes. The collaboration centres on interim leadership for UPMC’s hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) laboratory, a key facility supporting stem cell transplantation.

Kevin Land, executive medical director for biotherapies at Vitalant, is serving as interim medical director of the HSC lab. The facility is accredited by FACT, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) for its work in the collection, processing and storage of human stem cells for therapeutic use.

Land will provide strategic oversight during the transition, guiding the lab’s operations and aligning its capabilities with the growing demands of cell and gene therapy. He will also oversee a global search for a permanent medical director. “Vitalant is committed to supporting advancements in cell and gene therapy, starting with stem cell transplants and extending to next-generation therapies,” said Land. “I’m pleased to provide support on an interim basis while partnering to identify the best long-term leader for this role.”

The HSC lab is integral to UPMC’s bone marrow transplant programme, which continues to expand its clinical offerings. Abbie Mallon, vice president of the UPMC Laboratory Service Center, said: “Expanding the UPMC and Vitalant partnership will allow us to continue to deliver critical services while planning strategically for growth and innovation in this highly specialised field.”

The partnership reflects a shared ambition to accelerate clinical innovation and improve access to advanced therapies. Becky Cap, senior vice president of biotherapies at Vitalant, added: “Our collaboration with UPMC underscores a joint dedication to advancing transplant and cell and gene therapy. Vitalant’s operational support addresses both clinical and logistical challenges in this complex and evolving area.”

The interim director role will also include a part-time faculty appointment at UPMC, enabling closer collaboration with the health system’s clinicians and researchers.

Vitalant and UPMC have collaborated for many years. In addition to its role in biotherapies, Vitalant supplies blood products, transfusion services and coagulation testing to UPMC’s Pittsburgh campus and other locations across western Pennsylvania. Nationally, the organisation supports more than 900 hospitals and healthcare facilities.