CONFERENCE DAY ONE
Wednesday October 2, 2024
8:00 am Check-In, Coffee & Light Breakfast
8:55 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Uniting iPSC Innovators to Evaluate the iPSC Landscape & Identify Routes to Growth
9:00 am Industry Leaders’ Fireside Chat: Highlights & Hurdles from the Past Year
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:
- Highlighting and celebrating the big wins for iPSC community like recent start-ups and progress being made by US & Asian biopharma
- Considering the challenges facing iPSC research including safety, current regulatory frameworks and routes to clinic
9:30 am Unlocking Drug Discovery with the World’s Largest iPSC Biobank
Synopsis
- Leveraging a unique resource of 2,000 patient-derived iPSC lines, to understand the links between genetics and drug response
- This biobank empowers large-scale drug screening and paves the way for faster identification of effective and personalized therapies
- By integrating automation and innovative technologies, we aim to unlock the full potential of iPSCs and revolutionize drug development
10:00 am Presentation by Catalent
Synopsis
10:30 am Optimizing the Differentiation of iPSC Therapies to Enable Large-Scale Manufacturing & Clinical Applications
Synopsis
- Investigating the mechanisms by which differentiated Cytovia’s iNK cells exert their anti-tumor effects
- Demonstrating the complete maturation and potent anti-tumor activity of differentiated iNK cells for optimal efficacy
11:00 am Morning Refreshment Break & Speed Networking
Synopsis
As the iPSC community is reunited, this valuable session will ensure you can reconnect with your peers in the room to make new and lasting connections. Also, don’t forget to enjoy some refreshments before we split off into 2 tracks: Research & Development and Manufacturing & Analytical Development
Research & Development
Improving Preclinical Models to Streamline Transition to the Clinic
12:00 pm Overcoming Weaknesses of Current In Vitro Models using Novel In Vivo Approaches
Synopsis
- Investigating key factors contributing to tumorigenesis in iPSCs to identify areas in need of greater attention during cell reprogramming and differentiation
- Employing in vitro and in vivo models to assess the tumorigenic potential of iPSC-derived cells, facilitating the selection of safer cell lines for therapeutic development
- Mitigating tumorigenicity risks throughout preclinical development, ultimately enhancing the safety and efficacy of iPSC-based therapies
12:30 pm Presentation by RoslinCT
Synopsis
1:00 pm Approaching Hard-to-Model Cell Types to Improve Preclinical Research in New Disease Areas
Synopsis
- Implementing methods to culture and manipulate previously inaccessible cell types, enabling the study of their role in disease
- Integrating microfluidic and organoid technologies to create complex microenvironments, enhancing the translation of preclinical findings to clinical applications
- Understanding how academic approaches to preclinical modeling can be expanded and applied to industry-scale
1:30 pm Audience Led Session
Synopsis
This session fosters collaboration to accelerate iPSC therapeutics. Experts will discuss optimizing preclinical models to enhance translation to the clinic, focusing on novel strategies for both established and hard-to-model disease areas.
Manufacturing & Analytical Development
Revolutionizing iPSC Manufacturing through Automation & Artificial Intelligence
12:00 pm Accelerating iPSC Differentiation with Novel Automation Technologies to Streamline Manufacturing Processes
Synopsis
- Exploring how AI can optimize differentiation protocols to reduce timelines and improve cell yield
- Examining the implementation of automated workflows for iPSC differentiation, promoting consistency and efficiency
- Highlighting how machine learning can be used to predict and control differentiation processes, leading to more targeted cell production
12:30 pm Presentation by PBS
Synopsis
1:30 pm Harnessing AI & Data Science to Increase the Role of iPSCs in Regenerative Medicine
Synopsis
- Leveraging AI and data science workflows developed at NIST to optimize differentiation protocols for iPSCs, reducing timelines and improving cell yield
- Examining the implementation of automated workflows for iPSC differentiation, integrating AI-powered data analysis for enhanced consistency and efficiency
- Highlighting how data science and machine learning can be used to predict and control differentiation processes, leading to more targeted cell production
2:00 pm Lunch Refreshment
Evaluating Novel Approaches to Improving Efficiency of iPSC Differentiation to Improve Yields & Product Efficacy
3:00 pm Optimizing Differentiation for Therapeutic Applications of iPSC-Derived Cell Therapies
Synopsis
- Uncovering the mechanisms by which differentiated iPSCs exert their therapeutic effects
- Enabling the development of modular differentiation protocols for targeted cell production with defined functionalities
- Demonstrating the complete and functional maturation of differentiated iPSCs for therapeutic use
4:30 pm Harnessing AI/ML & Organoids to Optimizing a Unique Cell Therapy for Hair Loss
Synopsis
- Understanding the fundamentals of how AI & ML can be integrated into existing preclinical workflows
- Leveraging the autonomous benefits of AI technologies to enhance the efficacy of iPSC therapeutics
- How can we apply these new learnings to Stemson’s cell therapy approach for hair regeneration?
Enhancing iPSC Manufacturing Upscaling to Enable Truly Accessible Therapeutic Pathways
3:00 pm Presentation by Ajinomoto
Synopsis
3:30 pm Highlighting Innovations in Bioreactor Technologies to Enable Scale-Up of Manufacturing Processes
Synopsis
- Spotlighting novel bioreactor designs specifically suited for efficient and scalable iPSC production
- Strategizing how bioreactor innovations can be used to optimize oxygenation, nutrient delivery, and other critical culture conditions for large-scale iPSC expansion
- Highlighting the potential for integrating novel bioreactors with automation technologies for streamlined iPSC manufacturing processes
4:00 pm Presentation by Corning
Synopsis
4:30 pm Derisking Large Scale iPSC Manufacturing by Decreasing Costs
Synopsis
- Reducing the cost of goods associated with iPSC manufacturing while maintaining quality and scalability
- Highlighting the importance of process optimization for minimizing waste and maximizing cell yield during large-scale iPSC production
- Understanding how scaling up iPSC manufacturing can lead to cost reductions through efficient resource utilization
5:00 pm Afternoon Refreshment Break & Networking
Overcoming Regulatory & Protocol Challenges for iPSC Therapies from Bench to Clinic
5:30 pm Translating Differentiation Protocols from Research to Industry
Synopsis
- Driving scale-up of research-grade differentiation protocols for robust and cost-effective iPSC manufacturing
- Optimizing differentiation processes for consistent production of high-quality differentiated iPSCs
- Exploring the integration of optimized differentiation protocols with automated and closed manufacturing systems for streamlined cell therapy production
6:00 pm Regulatory Roundtables: Case Studies & Lessons Learned
Synopsis
Join a dynamic roundtable discussion featuring experts who have successfully navigated the regulatory landscape for iPSC therapies. This session will present real-world case studies exploring the challenges and solutions encountered during various stages of development, from preclinical studies to clinical trials. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights into navigating the regulatory pathways for iPSC-based cell therapies.