Must-See Sessions at Advanced Therapies Week 2025: Ry Leahy, Head of Content, Phacilitate

The energy is already building for Advanced Therapies Week 2025, and I couldn’t be more excited! From January 20–23 in Dallas, Texas, the global cell and gene therapy community will converge to share insights, spark collaborations, and advance the future of medicine. Whether you’re a seasoned industry leader or new to this incredible field, there’s no better place to connect, learn, and innovate.

With so much happening over the four days, it’s tough to pick favorites. But after diving into the agenda, I’ve narrowed down my Top 10 sessions that I’m most looking forward to. These sessions reflect some of the most pressing topics, transformative ideas, and actionable strategies shaping our field. If you’re joining us, I highly recommend adding these to your schedule!

1. Considering the End Early: What Parts of the Process Can You Get Right From the Start

Speakers: Arnaud Deladeriere (Cell&Gene Consulting Inc.), Donna Rill (Triumvira Immunologics), Scott Jones (BioBridge Global), Kasia Averall (Quell Therapeutics) & David Hermanson, (Bio-Techne).

Kicking things off with a session that’s all about strategic foresight in manufacturing, this session will explore how thinking ahead during the early stages of therapy development can save time, money, and heartache down the line. It’s a must for anyone focused on streamlining their clinical manufacturing through to commercial pathways.

2. Orchestration and Sync’d Up Planning for Cell and Gene Therapy Value & Supply Chains

Speakers: Matthew Lakelin (Trakcel), Patrick Gailliot (Abeona Therapeutics), William Beck (BlueRock Therapeutics), Michael Sweeney (QuickStat) & Ronit Slotky, (Hackensack University Medical Center)

Supply chain complexity is a reality in cell and gene therapy, more so than any other industry. This session dives into solutions that synchronize processes and add value. From end-to-end orchestration & digitalization to practical planning techniques, this session promises actionable insights to take back to your teams.

3. Working With Flexible Platforms for AAV Gene Therapies

Speakers: Ian Goodwin (FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies), Nathalie Clement (Siren Bio), Victoria Bensimon Maharaj (Forge Biologics), Von Wiltman (Apertura Gene Therapy)

This session will focus on leveraging flexible platforms to accelerate development and improve outcomes. I’m excited to learn more about how innovation in platform and manufacturing technologies is opening new doors for therapeutic success.

4. Therapeutic Advances: Allogeneic Cell Therapies

Speakers: Sven Kili (CCRM), Arthur Stril (Cellectis), Cokey Nguyen (Atara Bio), Kristin Yarema (Poseida Therapeutics) and Maya Fuerstenau-Sharp ,(Sartorius).

Allogeneic therapies are transforming the advanced therapies landscape, and this session will highlight the latest breakthroughs and challenges in this space. It’s an unmissable opportunity to explore what’s next for off-the-shelf solutions.

5. Characterization and Analytics Improvement Throughout Cell Therapy Manufacturing

Speakers: Chaminda Salgado (CEPI) Nadia Ward (Biomerieux), Lindsay Davies (NextCell Pharma AB), Therese Choquette (Tigen)

Consistency and quality are non-negotiables in manufacturing. This session will delve into innovations in characterization and analytics that are driving improvements across the board. If manufacturing excellence is on your radar, don’t miss it!

6. International Convergence of Regulatory Agencies for CGT

Speakers: Cynthia Porter Riggins (ElevateBio), Nicole Verdun (FDA), Kinnari Patel (Rocket Pharma) Lana Shiu (Kite Pharma)

Navigating global regulatory landscapes can be daunting, but this panel will shed light on how agencies are collaborating to streamline pathways and drive international convergence. With

updates from leading regulators, it’s an invaluable session for anyone involved in global development strategies.

7. Patient Engagement & Information

Speakers: Micheala Jones (Regeneron), Len Valentino (Pathway to Cures), Mai Duong (Swab The World Foundation)

The heart of everything we do is the patient. This session will explore how we can better engage and inform patients, ensuring their voices are at the center of therapy development. It’s a powerful reminder of why we’re all here.

8. Automation & Digitalization Transforming Workflows

Speakers: Ohad Karnieli (ADVA Biotechnology), Dan Strange (Cellular Origins), Lillian Ye (Beam Therapeutics)

Automation and digitalization are revolutionizing the way we work, and this session will explore how these technologies are transforming workflows across the advanced therapies ecosystem. Prepare to be inspired by what’s possible when innovation meets practicality.

9. Developing Advanced Therapies in Saudi Arabia: Building an Ecosystem That Benefits Global Patients

Speakers:

– Ahmed Alaskar, Chief Executive Officer, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC),

– Ahmed Aljedai, Assistant Deputy for Support Medical Services at Ministry of Health, Khaled Alanazi, Pharma & Biotech Manager, Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources,

– Saeed Alturki, Executive Director of the National Priorities and Missions Sector at the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA)

– Seyd Osman Ali Ahmed, Director of CAR T Cell program at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center

– Ahmed Ibrahim Alsagheir, Chairman of the National CAR T Cell Committee

Saudi Arabia is emerging as a hub for advanced therapies, and this session will provide an inside look at their ecosystem and its global impact. It’s an exciting opportunity to explore how innovation in one region can drive benefits worldwide.

10. The Patient Ferris Wheel: Centering the Patient in CGT Supply

Speakers: Lizette Calabero (Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine), Lindsay Davies (NextCell Pharma AB), Patrick Gailliot (Abeona Therapeutics), Mike Dybicz (Cryoport Systems)

Closing out my list is a session that takes a unique look at centering the patient in the CGT supply chain. From logistics to long-term outcomes, it’s all about keeping the patient at the forefront of every decision.

These are just a handful of the incredible sessions you can expect at Advanced Therapies Week 2025. The full agenda is packed with inspiring speakers, cutting-edge topics, and valuable networking opportunities that make this event a must-attend for anyone in the field.

Ready to join us? Book your tickets now and start planning your week—you don’t want to miss a moment of the action. And don’t forget to check out the full agenda to discover even more can’t-miss sessions and events.

Let’s make 2025 the year we take advanced therapies to new heights. See you in Dallas!