Workshop Day: Tuesday, September 17
Quick Guide to Workshops:
Pre-Clinical Workshops
Workshop A:
Mediating Targeted Cell Activation & Implementing Safety Switches to Reinvent Cell Therapy Safety
Workshop D:
Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning to Reimagine Cell Therapy Discovery & Product Optimization
Clinical Workshops
Workshop B:
Overcoming Cell Therapy Resistance to Prevent Relapse in Patients & Promote Durable Responses
Workshop E:
Pursuing Clinical Trials in Autoimmunity to Expand Treatment & Increase Accessibility
Manufacturing Workshops
Workshop C: - Selling Fast!
Innovating Cell Therapy Manufacturing to Accelerate Production of High Quality & Compliant Products
Workshop F: - Selling Fast!
Overcoming Challenges of Harnessing Non-Viral Engineering in Manufacturing
Full Workshop Day Agenda:
8:00 am Workshop Check-In Open & Coffee Networking
Morning Workshops: 9.00-12.00
WORKSHOP A
Mediating Targeted Cell Activation & Implementing Safety Switches to Reinvent Cell Therapy Safety
Synopsis
With attention turning to cell therapy safety, the incorporation of logic gates and switch receptors can induce specific activation at the tumor site, whereas suicide switches can wipe out therapy populations in patients to reverse toxicities when they arise.
- Incorporating logic gates or switch receptors to mediate anti-tumor activity solely at target site to enhance therapy safety
- Incorporating suicide genes to create a molecular switch used to deplete T-cells following toxicity
WORKSHOP B
Overcoming Cell Therapy Resistance to Prevent Relapse in Patients & Promote Durable Responses
Synopsis
Resistance to cell therapies remains one of the most challenging limitations to durable efficacies and long-term responses in the clinic. Unravelling mechanisms of resistance and optimizing innovations in engineering could provide a solution to this major barrier.
- Analyzing characteristics of relapse to uncover mechanisms of resistance and antigen escape
- Distinguishing biomarkers to indicate higher risk of relapse to select patients with
- Harnessing engineering methods, dual targeted approaches and combination therapies to prevent resistance through antigen escape
WORKSHOP C
9:30 am Innovating Cell Therapy Manufacturing to Accelerate Production of High Quality & Compliant Products
Synopsis
The production times for cell therapies has the potential to be slashed by cutting down the manufacturing turnaround, which could significantly boost efficacies and prevent further disease progression.
- Optimizing cell expansion conditions and proliferation to accelerate creation of stem-like cells and delivery of cells to patients while upholding quality and therapeutic efficacy
- Reviewing the advantages of fast-production processes and impact on cost-efficiency
- Harnessing rapid manufacturing platforms to cater to increased demand and contribute to improved clinical outcome
12:00 pm Lunch Break & Networking
Afternoon Workshops: 1.00-4.00
WORKSHOP D
Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning to Reimagine Cell Therapy Discovery & Product Optimization
Synopsis
Now the age of AI is upon us, it is essential to uncover the areas of application for cell therapy development to leverage this game-changing technology to accelerate progression of safe and effective treatments.
- Harnessing AI to analyze antigen datasets and uncover novel highly specific targets or safe but effective TCR molecules
- Utilizing AI technologies to optimize CAR/TCR design or molecular structures to enhance interaction with targets and boost efficacies
- Applying machine learning to advance biomarker development
WORKSHOP E
Pursuing Clinical Trials in Autoimmunity to Expand Treatment Application & Increase Accessibility
Synopsis
The dawn of autoimmune applications for cell therapies provides a new and expanded wider patient pool but requires unique considerations and challenges to overcome, compared to oncology.
- Repurposing current cell therapy products to specifically target autoimmune antigens
- Identifying a suitable disease indication to target with optimal clinical outcome
- Understanding unique regulatory requirements for autoimmune disease treatments to streamline IND approval
- Discussing safety considerations and differing needs for autoimmune trials to educate clinicians and streamline trials
WORKSHOP F
Overcoming Challenges of Harnessing Non-Viral Engineering in Manufacturing
Synopsis
Since viral engineering approaches have been associated with toxicities, it is imperative to master manufacturing of non-viral engineered products with similar efficiencies to enhance therapy safety.
- Evaluating the impact of engineering method (viral vs non-viral) on manufacturing efficiencies
- Understanding how engineering method impacts cell stability, viability and analytical processes to optimize product
- Unlocking scalable and cost-effective production using non-viral engineering to advance efficiency and product stability with increased demand
Driving Diversity in CAR-TCR Workshop: 4.00-6.00
Synopsis
Diversity in the Workplace: Ensuring diverse representation throughout the cell therapy space
Diversity in Clinical Trials: Extending patient populations to include subgroups and minorities to ensure ethnic inclusion and reduce disparities
C-Level Think Tank (*Invite Only): 4.00-6.00
Synopsis
An exclusive invite-only session providing an opportunity for top C-Level Executives to gather in a closed room setting to discuss the most pressing challenges facing the CAR-TCR field and sharing thought leadership on how to drive efficacies, safety, cost efficiency and accessibility of cell therapies.