Gain a data-driven outlook on the current state of cell and gene therapy (CGT) investment. This keynote explores emerging trends, evolving investor priorities, and why early-stage innovation remains essential to sustaining industry growth.
This agenda is still in development. All sessions and timings are subject to regular change at this time.
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Investment Summit
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- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront Hotel -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront Hotel -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelAs capital deployment becomes more selective, understanding investor expectations is essential for biotech leaders seeking funding. This discussion brings together leading VCs to dissect how decision criteria have evolved, what defines a “fundable” company in 2026, and how scientific, regulatory, and commercial factors intersect to shape valuation and deal momentum. -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelThe road from concept to growth-stage financing is rarely straightforward. In this in-depth spotlight session, a biotech founder shares first-hand lessons from navigating multiple funding rounds, balancing scientific proof-of-concept with investor readiness, and leveraging non-dilutive opportunities along the way. Attendees will gain a practical view of how to build traction and credibility in a cautious capital market.
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- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront Hotel -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelAfter two years of market stagnation, the CGT investment landscape is slowly recalibrating. Investors are using this reset to reassess portfolios, strengthen fundamentals, and prepare for the next cycle of growth. This session will unpack how strategic investors are managing capital constraints, supporting existing assets, and driving long term opportunity.
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- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelAs investors recalibrate their strategies in the CGT sector, attention is shifting beyond therapeutic developers to the tools, platforms and enabling technologies that underpin the industry. These companies spanning automation, analytics and manufacturing systems are becoming the backbone of CGT progress. In this fireside chat, explore how investors are identifying value in the infrastructure layer of advanced therapies, and why tools and tech providers may be an opportunity for long-term growth.
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- Investment Summit
Networking breakIndigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront Hotel -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelDuring the current market stabilisation, investors are rethinking what “safe” looks like in a high-risk, high-reward industry. This data-driven session will unpack the latest capital flow trends – from tools and platforms to therapeutic developers- and reveal how investor priorities are evolving. Attendees will gain a snapshot of where capital is being deployed, which business models are attracting confidence, and how risk appetite is shifting as the market evolves.
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- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelThis fireside chat will explore how leading venture and growth investors are adapting their strategies and balancing short-term caution with long-term conviction. From diversification to value creation, uncover what smart, sustainable investment looks like in today’s CGT market
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- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelWhile scientific innovation drives breakthroughs in CGT, commercial understanding often determines whether those breakthroughs reach patients – and investors. This session will unpack why strong commercial acumen is just as critical as scientific excellence in securing funding and scaling successfully. Industry leaders and investors will discuss what scientific founders need to know about pricing, reimbursement, and market access, and how early commercial strategy can turn cutting-edge research into investable, sustainable businesses. -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelInvestment in cell and gene therapies (CGT) is increasingly global, with innovation hubs expanding beyond traditional markets. This discussion brings together leading investors to examine where value is emerging, how to evaluate cross-border opportunities, and what factors differentiate regions building sustainable biotech ecosystems. For US-based investors, the conversation extends to assessing global competitiveness, risk management, and long-term growth potential. -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelBuilding effective co-investment partnerships and syndicate structures Balancing collaboration with competitive differentiation How to share diligence, deal flow, and exit strategies transparently and ... -
- Investment Summit
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelWhich enabling tools and tech are most critical to long-term CGT scalability How investors are balancing exposure between tools, services and therapeutics
Founders Forum
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- Founders Forum
Room ATurn a good deck into a compelling case. Rapid, focused reviews reveal what hooks investors and what to cut. -
- Founders Forum
Room ABuild under pressure, not despite it. Secure capital, fortify your team, and make crisp decisions that keep growth compounding when resources are thin. -
- Founders Forum
Room ALearn how to transform strategy into execution by building the operational backbone for sustainable growth. Discover the systems, processes, and culture that enable biotech startups to scale with precision and resilience. -
- Founders Forum
Room AExplore how to position your biotech for sustained strategic success beyond early funding rounds. Learn to build partnerships, enhance commercial readiness, and plan long-term trajectories that accelerate growth and impact.
Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
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- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DFrom boardroom influence to everyday allyship, hear how women in CGT break barriers and build pipelines of talent. Leave with plays for mentorship, sponsorship, and momentum -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DLearn how to create inclusive workplace cultures and equitable policies that drive measurable impact. Explore strategies to address unconscious bias, close representation gaps, and sustain long-term diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DExplore how mentorship can shape leadership journeys and foster inclusive career development. Learn strategies to empower emerging talent and strengthen workplace culture in male-dominated industries. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DDiscover strategies to address disparities in women’s health research, clinical trials, and access to care. Learn how policy, advocacy, and industry engagement can advance equity in health outcomes. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DExplore how to build, maintain and leverage networks and mentorships to advance careers and influence your industry. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DShare approaches to recognise and overcome self-doubt while thriving in male-dominate spaces. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DDiscuss how empathy, intuition and people skills can be leveraged as leadership strengths. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DExamine actionable steps to advance women into executive and board-level positions. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DExplore strategies for securing funding, support and recognition for women-led initiatives. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DDiscuss realistic ways to prioritise well-being while pursuing career success. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DExplore strategies to close gaps in research, clinical trials and healthcare access for women -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DShare experiences of unconventional career trajectories and how they can create leadership opportunities. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DDiscuss how collaboration and mentorship can foster a supportive and empowering environment. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DExamine strategies for engaging everyone in advancing gender equality. -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DTo be confirmedEmerson -
- Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
Room DTo be confirmedAssurea
Plenary
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- Plenary
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront HotelThe opening Superplenary gathers the CGT world to chart what is next: access, regulation, scale, and real patient impact. Set your strategy for the week with the signals that will define 2026 and beyond.
Networking
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- Networking
Mentor & networking hourIndigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront Hotel -
- Networking
San Diego, Wine & Culinary CenterKick off Advanced Therapies Week in style at Sip & Connect, the official welcome party that blends great food, fine wine, and meaningful conversation.
Event Logistics
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- Event Logistics
Badge collectionHilton San Diego BayfrontBadge collection will be available from the event registration desk at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.
Starting at 9am.
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- Event Logistics
Badge collectionSan Diego Convention CenterBadge collection will be available from the event registration desk at the San Diego Convention Center.
Starting at 2pm.
Manufacturing & Supply
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Make automation your force multiplier for CGT manufacturing. Faster, more consistent batches with real-time oversight and smarter integration. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Make tech transfer frictionless as you grow. Lock in robust processes, nail GMP handoffs, and scale with fewer surprises. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Turn tech transfer into a growth engine: move from lab to line faster with reproducible runs, fewer bottlenecks, and GMP-ready discipline. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Turn GMP sourcing into a strength, not a risk. Secure critical inputs, squeeze out bottlenecks, and build a supply chain that scales on schedule. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Turn allogeneic therapies into true off-the-shelf products. Standardise, scale, and safeguard quality from first lots to full commercial supply. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Can HLA matching unlock durability for off-the-shelf cells? Pull the levers that extend persistence, boost potency, and raise response rates. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Pick the model that wins on speed, scale, and spend. Autologous vs allogeneic, we unpack closed-system automation, vein-to-vein logistics, and the standardization that unlocks throughput. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Execution roadmap to automation and an enhanced analytical control strategy
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Clinical Development & Translation
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- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2This fireside chat examines strategies to improve the predictive value of preclinical models for human outcomes. Discussion will focus on trial design, early human data, and integrated frameworks to de-risk early clinical programs. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Route, dose, and monitor with confidence. Practical tactics to reach the right cells, manage adverse events, and execute lean trials in small populations. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Bridge IND to bedside with operational discipline, smart site selection, patient-first recruitment, and early regulatory prep that keeps timelines moving. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Make regulators your early partner, not a gatekeeper. Tight submissions and clear trial plans turn uncertainty into predictable timelines.
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- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2From first patients to first proof, watch what happens when heterogeneity meets trial design. Practical lessons to lift fidelity, safety, and enrolment -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Turn patient voice into regulatory momentum. Co-create protocols, sharpen endpoints, and move first in human sooner.
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- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Choose endpoints that truly matter to patients and regulators, built to be measurable, meaningful, and defensible in small, variable cohorts. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Endpoints that matter to patients and regulators alike: design for relevance, validate smartly, and report with confidence. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2From start-up to closeout, perfect the sponsor-site handshake. Clear workflows, crisp communication, faster trials. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Cross the last mile from clinic to market with confidence. Lock launch readiness across manufacturing, quality, and regulatory while de-risking supply at scale. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Turn discovery into first in human momentum. Build the preclinical, analytical, and regulatory engine that carries your lead straight into clinic.
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Emerging Modalities & Innovation
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- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Turn AI into your CGT R&D edge. Cut cycle time, tighten biomarker calls, and move from model to patient with confidence. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Take CGT beyond oncology into autoimmune and neuro with confidence. Tailor trial design, sharpen biomarkers, and safeguard long-term safety for chronic, complex disease. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Unlock the next wave of CGT with platforms that cut cycle time, scale cleanly, and lift your hit rate from model to patient. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Beat the tumor microenvironment at its own game. Pick modalities that penetrate, dose cleanly, and keep signals meaningful from preclinical to patient. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Turn iPSCs into therapies at scale. Engineer repeatable manufacturing, rigorous QC, and clinical relevance regulators can back. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Rethink your starting material to beat scale and persistence bottlenecks while boosting translational fidelity. Practical moves for safety, biomarkers, and approval readiness.
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- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Skip personalized manufacturing. A branched polypeptide ferries mcDNA in vivo to arm diverse immune cells, opening a scalable path to CAR activity in solid tumors. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Skip the ex vivo bottlenecks with in vivo engineering. Balance potency, safety, and trial design to bring cell therapy to more patients.
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Growth & Investment
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- Growth & Investment
Theatre 4What wins now for investors and developers alike: crisp clinical signals, efficient trial design, and funding that maps to risk. Build a plan that survives scrutiny. -
- Growth & Investment
Theatre 4From launch to longevity, design commercial frameworks that fit CGT’s realities. Think value-based contracts, smarter distribution, and proof that endures. -
- Growth & Investment
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Growth & Investment
Theatre 4-
Make academia and industry collaborations actually deliver: align incentives, lock in IP, set crisp governance, and blend funding to carry breakthroughs from bench to bedside.
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- Growth & Investment
Theatre 4Win capital for CGT in a tight market. Pair smart de-risking with deal structures that stretch runway and keep programs moving.
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Phacilitate.TV
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- Phacilitate.TV
Phacilitate.TV StudioShowcase your story on Phacilitate.TV. Filming slots are limited, and the schedule will be posted here soon.
Workshop
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- Workshop
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- Workshop
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- Workshop
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- Workshop
Theatre 2
Networking
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- Networking
Petco Park takeoverPetco Park StadiumFor one night only, Phacilitate takes over San Diego’s iconic Petco Park. This is networking on a grand scale, with food, drinks, and panoramic views of the city skyline. With drinks, canapés & entertainment, it will be the biggest night of the week, where biotech leaders, investors, and solution providers come together.
Event Logistics
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- Event Logistics
Exhibition hall opensSan Diego Convention Center -
- Event Logistics
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Event Logistics
Networking & exhibition time
Manufacturing & Supply
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Make new modalities manufacturable at scale. Lock quality early, align CMC with regulators, and design delivery that holds up in the real world. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Can decentralised and point of care models deliver speed without sacrificing quality or cost control? See how digital tools, modular sites, and closed systems make local manufacturing scale.
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Spotlight session: Decentralising cell therapy delivery - building the supply chain for wider accessTheatre 1Unlock wider access with decentralized delivery that still runs tight. Equip hospitals, harden cold chain, and keep traceability airtight so patients get treated faster. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Move from pilot to commercial with confidence. Standardize testing, control drift, and prove consistency across sites and timelines. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Replication-competent AAVs (rcAAV) are gene therapy product-related impurities that could have associated safety risks for patients. rcAAVs are conventionally detected in cell-based assays consisting ... -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Through a collaboration with a university and hospital, our Optima team has developed a machine for decentralized and centralized automated production of an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP). ... -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1From apheresis to infusion, align operations with manufacturing and delivery so every handoff is clean and compliant. Build capacity with robust training and end-to-end traceability.
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- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1Turn your CDMO into a scale engine for CGT. Speed tech transfer, standardise quality, and compress time to clinic and launch. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1CDMO or in house? Compare time to market, flexibility, and compliance to shape a strategy that grows with your pipeline. -
- Manufacturing & Supply
Theatre 1This panel explores strategies for designing robust analytical and quality control frameworks in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
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Clinical Development & Translation
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- Clinical Development & Translation
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Smarter studies for rare and underserved groups that fuse modern endpoints with proactive agency dialogue to keep approvals on track. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Find the few, fast. Pinpoint rare disease patients, clear logistical hurdles, and turn advocacy into enrollment momentum. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Power CGT trials with biomarkers and companion diagnostics that enrich the right patients and lift your signal to noise. Build regulatory grade readouts that speed decisions and de-risk development. -
- Clinical Development & Translation
Theatre 2Turn an early program into a green light with predictive models, fit for purpose biomarkers, and a protocol built for speed and scale.
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Emerging Modalities & Innovation
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- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Turn patient voice into better science and better outcomes. Align design, safety margins, and pricing with what people value most. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Push gene editing forward without tripping on the rulebook. Nail safety signals, tame off targets, and build a compliance trail regulators trust.
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- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
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- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Adopt smarter, not slower. A practical playbook to evaluate, de-risk, and embed new platforms so innovation shows up in your data and timelines. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Turn allo into access at scale; lock consistency with robust QC, de-risk immunogenicity, and carry data from model to patient. -
- Emerging Modalities & Innovation
Theatre 3Build a supply chain that makes off-the-shelf therapies truly on demand. Harden cold chain, tighten QA, and deliver globally with speed and certainty.
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Regulation & Access
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- Regulation & Access
Theatre 4Unlock global access for advanced therapies. Harmonise approvals, align reimbursement, and build delivery pathways that get treatments to patients faster. -
- Regulation & Access
Theatre 4Crack CGT reimbursement with durable value, smart risk sharing, and pricing that opens access without blowing budgets. -
- Regulation & Access
Lunch & exhibition time
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Phacilitate.TV
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- Phacilitate.TV
Phacilitate.TV StudioShowcase your story on Phacilitate.TV. Filming slots are limited, and the schedule will be posted here soon.
Roundtable
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- Roundtable
Theatre 2 -
- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
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- Roundtable
Theatre 2
Workshop
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- Workshop
Theatre 3 -
- Workshop
Theatre 2 -
- Workshop
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Workshop
Theatre 3 -
- Workshop
Theatre 2 -
- Workshop
Theatre 3
Networking
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- Networking
Phacilitate run clubHilton San Diego BayfrontKickstart your day with a refreshing 5k run alongside fellow attendees. -
- Networking
San Diego Convention CenterWhen the sessions finish, the networking continues! Open to all ticket holders and free to attend, the Exhibition Party takes place on the show floor with a mix of bars, a DJ, and a few fun surprises. It is the perfect way to carry on conversations, make new connections, and enjoy the evening with the community.
Event Logistics
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- Event Logistics
Exhibition hall opensSan Diego Convention Center -
- Event Logistics
Lunch & exhibition time -
- Event Logistics
Networking & exhibition time -
- Event Logistics
TopgolfMarriot Marquid San DiegoInvite only
Special Interest Groups
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- Special Interest Groups
Theatre 1The Automation SIG unites experts from biopharma, technology, contract manufacturing, and academia to accelerate automation in cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing, focusing on closed-system processing, digital integration, and workforce considerations to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability. -
- Special Interest Groups
Theatre 2The Data Standardization & Implementation SIG brings together experts from biopharma, manufacturing, regulatory, informatics, and technology to advance harmonized data standards in cell and gene therapy (CGT), enabling scalable digital transformation and the ethical application of AI and machine learning. -
- Special Interest Groups
Theatre 3The Decentralized Manufacturing SIG unites stakeholders to explore scalable, resilient, and accessible models for cell therapy production. This group focuses on regulatory, technological, and quality challenges to advance collaborative, practical approaches worldwide. -
- Special Interest Groups
Theatre 4The Blood Centers SIG unites leaders from blood centers, blood banks, and collection networks within the broader CGT community to address challenges
and opportunities in CGT development, manufacturing, and delivery, focusing on strategies to enhance equitable access and operational readiness.
Networking
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- Networking
SIG networking eventDedicated networking event for the Special Interest Groups - more info to come soon!
Event Logistics
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- Event Logistics
San Diego Convention Center