7:30 am Registration & Coffee
8:20 am Opening Remarks
Unlocking Investment & Expanding Patient Access for iPSC-Based Therapies
8:30 am Industry Leaders Fireside Chat: Understanding the Investment Landscape & Novel Opportunities in the iPSC Space
Synopsis
An interactive panel discussion from the industry leaders of the field to set the scene on the iPSC therapy space. Ask your questions live to understand the expert’s thoughts on key topics including:
- Key factors influencing investment in iPSCs, including tech advancements, novel data and regulatory changes
- Addressing risks in iPSC development and strategies for attracting investment
- Novel iPSC-based therapy areas, such as tissue regeneration and biotech-academic collaborations advancing the field
9:30 am From Bench to Bedside to Community: Ensuring Widespread Patient Access to iPSC-Based Therapies
Synopsis
- How can we develop iPSC-based therapies that integrate into current clinical practices and patient care pathways?
- Understanding the role of clinicians, surgeons, and healthcare systems in adapting to new therapies
- Critical Parameters for iPSC Development, getting therapies to the clinic and community
10:00 am Morning Break & Speed Networking
Preclinical Track
Leveraging Genetic Engineering to Drive Success in iPSC-Derived Therapies
11:00 am Engineering for Allo-Evasion to Maximize PostTransplant Success
Synopsis
- Designing genetic edits to reduce immune recognition and prolong cell persistence
- Optimizing HLA modulation strategies for improved alloevasion and graft survival
- Balancing immune evasion with safety to prevent uncontrolled cell persistence
11:30 am Enhancing Genetic Engineering Strategies to Maximize Potency in iPSC-Derived Cellular Therapies
Synopsis
- Optimizing genetic modification processes to enhance cell purity, potency, and functionality
- Engineering considerations to improve safety, survival, engraftment, and therapeutic effect
12:00 pm Roundtable Discussion: Engineering iPSCs with Purpose: What Genetic Edits will Actually Drive Clinical Impact?
Synopsis
- How are teams prioritizing which edits to persue – immunoevasion, functional potency, or off-the-shelf applicability?
- What lessons can we learn from clinical data on engineered cell therapies that should guide iPSC editing strategies?
Process Development & CMC Track
Aligning GMP Standards with Process Innovation for a Faster Path to Clinic
11:00 am Defining Considerations when Transitioning Processes & Cell Lines from RUO to GMP
Synopsis
- How do we demonstrate comparability when switching cell lines?
- Key strategies to manage costs associated with transitioning into GMP
- Optimizing raw material selection to align with GMP standards
Selecting the Right Platforms to Ensure High Quality Manufacturing at Scale
11:30 am Exploring Consistent Cellular Transitions & Quality Aspects in 3D iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Production
Synopsis
- How early differentiation dynamics affect the reproducibility and efficiency of cardiomyocyte induction
- Key aspects of iPSC maintenance and quality that support consistent cardiomyocyte differentiation
12:00 pm Session Reserved for Ajinomoto
12:30 pm Lunch
Synopsis
Private lunch hosted by Lonza, please inquire with info@hansonwade.com for more information
Starting on the Right Foot by Evaluating Reprogramming & Sources for Stem Cells
1:30 pm Harnessing Engineered iPSC-Derived Immuno-Modulatory Alpha Neutrophils for Immune Reconstitution & Cancer Therapy
Synopsis
- Exploring the potential of iPSC-derived alpha neutrophils to restore immune function in oncology and age-related diseases
- Strategies to leverage these cells for robust immune reconstitution following immunosuppressive treatments
- Evaluating therapeutic applications across cancer and chronic inflammation driven by immune decline with age
2:00 pm Roundtable Discussion: Identifying Factors Contributing to iPSC Genomic Instability
Synopsis
- Identifying factors that contribute to genomic instability in iPSCs and their impact on therapeutic outcomes
- Developing novel techniques to identify genomic instability at the level of iPSCs and derived cells
- Exploring strategies to mitigate genomic instability, including optimized reprogramming techniques and targeted genetic modifications
2:30 pm Unlocking the Therapeutic Promise of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Synopsis
- Evaluating the advantages of hESCs over iPSCs in terms of genetic stability, differentiation efficiency, and scalability
- Discussing trials using hESCs, easy derivation, low cost of hESC lines and patient-specific hESCs and SCNT
1:30 pm Panel Discussion: Understanding the Current Barriers to Achieving Closed System Automated Manufacturing
Synopsis
- Discussing key hurdles such as cost, complexity of processes, and regulatory challenges when adopting new instruments
- What are some opportunities in iPSC manufacturing processes where automation can be introduced?
2:00 pm Session Reserved for Roslin CT
2:30 pm Comparing 2D Versus 3D Manufacturing Platforms to Ensure the Right Fit
Synopsis
- How do we determine if transitioning into 3D platforms is necessary?
- Demonstrating process comparability when scaling up to stir tanks and bioreactors
- Strategies to maintain visibility over cell lines in 3D culture
3:00 pm Afternoon Break & Poster Session
Unlocking Investment & Expanding Patient Access for iPSC-Based Therapies
4:00 pm Rewriting the Rules of Differentiation: Driving iPSC Fate Through Direct Nuclear Reprogramming with TFome
Synopsis
- Leveraging gene reprogramming within the nucleus to trigger differentiation without relying on external growth factors
- Achieving 99% efficiency in just four days through a single-step, cost-effective approach
- Integrating AI to identify and control key gene activation and silencing for scalable, precision-driven differentiation
4:30 pm Going Beyond Neurons: Replacing the Third Element with iPSC Derived Cells
Synopsis
- The history and future of iPSC-derived microglia therapies
- Considerations for large-scale transplants
- Preclinical vignettes across rare genetic and common neurodegenerative diseases
5:00 pm Session Reserved for Catalent
5:30 pm Breaking Barriers in Blood Stem Cell Therapy: A Universal Solution for HLA-Mismatched Patients
Synopsis
- Many patients with life-threatening blood disorders lack access to matched donors, limiting curative treatment options
- ST101 is a universal, off-the-shelf blood stem cell therapy that eliminates the need for HLA matching
- Using gene-edited iPSCs, ST101 enables immediate, scalable, and durable hematopoietic reconstitution—redefining accessibility to curative therapies