The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) released new standards for viral vectors and plasmid DNA to address quality variability in cell and gene therapy manufacturing; USP collaborated with NIST and NIIMBL on empty‑full ratio methodologies. Separately, Bracco Imaging and Limula launched an R&D partnership—backed by Innosuisse—to test microbubble‑based, buoyancy‑driven cell selection as an automated alternative to magnetic beads. Together the initiatives aim to reduce analytical and process bottlenecks that slow CGT scale‑up. Standards provide benchmarks for assays and materials; microbubble selection tackles cell‑processing steps that currently limit throughput and cost. Industry and regulators will watch whether these efforts accelerate manufacturing consistency and lower barriers to clinical access.