HEK-Omics: The promise of omics to optimize HEK293 for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) gene therapy manufacturing

Gene therapy is poised to transition from niche to mainstream medicine, with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) as the vector of choice. However, this requires robust, scalable, industrialized production to meet demand and provide affordable patient access, which has thus far failed to materialize. Closing the chasm between demand and supply requires innovation in biomanufacturing to achieve the essential step change in rAAV product yield and quality. Omics provides a rich source of mechanistic knowledge that can be applied to HEK293, the prevailing cell line for rAAV production. In this review, the findings from a growing number of disparate studies that apply genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to HEK293 bioproduction are explored. Learnings from CHO-Omics, application of omics approaches to improve CHO bioproduction, provide context for the potential of "HEK-Omics" as a multiomics-informed approach providing actionable mechanistic insights for improved transient and stable production of rAAV and other recombinant products in HEK293.