2021 CAR-TCR Summit Elevates Industry Expertise in Cell Therapies

The world of cell therapy is expanding rapidly, with biotechnology companies uncovering new approaches and applying novel therapeutics to new targets seemingly daily. Although the speed of development means great things for diseases with high unmet needs, it can make for a steep learning curve for the many players in this space who are working hard to challenge how we treat some of the world’s most devastating diseases.

Bringing together experts in the fields of cell therapy discovery, translation, development, manufacturing, logistics, and market access, the upcoming 2021 CAR-TCR Summit, taking place virtually August 30-September 2, seeks to help educate and invigorate participants in this rapidly changing field.

The 4-day Summit, which features more than 150 faculty members, will include can’t-miss insights from leaders in the commercial, research, and regulatory worlds, including:

• Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, who will discuss the agency’s efforts to help facilitate development of next-generation CAR-T cell therapies;
• Laura Deschenes, head of Supply Chain and Operations, Cell Therapies at Takeda, who will discuss key considerations and challenges of the autologous and allogeneic cell therapy supply chain;
• and Roderick O’Connor, BSc, MS, PhD, research assistant professor at the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at the University of Pennsylvania, who will present on optimizing CAR-T cells for solid tumor survival

Organized by 5 tracks, the Summit kicks off with “Deep Dive Day,” which includes the CAR-TCR 101 Bootcamp program and the Regulatory Bootcamp. Days 2 and 3 of the Summit will include the keynote presentation by Carl June,MD, director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania, scientific abstracts and plenary presentations, networking and tech slam sessions, as well as an Industry Leader’s Fireside Chat and Next-Generation Fireside Chat. The final day of the Summit is dubbed “Focus Day,” with sessions centered around cell characterization and applications of CAR and TCR therapies beyond oncology.

Each track features tailored sessions that address key issues and developments, including:

Discovery Track

• Employing NK and T-Cell CARs, Multiple Novel Pan-Targets, and Off-the-Shelf iPSC Platform for Solid Tumor Therapy (August 31, 2021 at 2:30 PM EDT)
• Integrating In Vivo Transduction of CARs with Universal Solid Tumor Targeting Molecules (September 1, 2021 at 12:30 PM EDT)

Translation Track

• Demonstrating the Safety of iPSCs as Starting Cell Types for ‘Off-the-Shelf’ Manufacturing (August 31, 2021 at 11:00 AM EDT)
• Examining Mechanisms of Resistance for Real-World Data-Driven Therapeutic Design (September 1, 2021 at 3:00 PM EDT)

Clinical Development Track

• Challenges and Progress in the Development of Allogeneic Therapies (August 31, 2021 at 1:30 PM EDT)
• CAR-T Cell Evolution: Targeting Solid Tumors (September 1, 2021 at 4:30 PM EDT)

Early Phase Development Track

• Strategies to Ensure Clinical Trial Operations Readiness and Success (August 31, 2021 at 12:00 PM EDT)
• Entering the Clinic, Powered by a Translational Engine, with Industrial Scale Readiness (September 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT)

Manufacturing Track

• Developing Scaled Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing for In Vivo Engineering (August 31, 2021 at 12:00 PM EDT)
• Establishing an iPSC Platform for Consistency and Quality of Cell Therapy Manufacturing at Scale (September 1, 2021 at 3:00 PM EDT)

Logistics Track

• Case Study: Considerations, Challenges, and Infrastructure of an Autologous and Allogeneic Cell Therapy Supply Chain (August 31, 2021 at 12:00 PM EDT)
• Managing Tech Transfer from Industry to Clinical Sites (September 1, 2021 at 3:00 PM EDT)

Market Access Track

• Building a Patient Education, Operations and Support Network for the Entire Patient Journey (August 31, 2021 at 1:30 PM EDT)
• Industrializing Solid Tumor Cell Therapies as Mainstream Medicines (September 1, 2021 at 11:30 AM EDT)

To register for the virtual, interactive event, visit CAR-TCR-Summit.com and stay with GeneTherapyLive for more insights from leaders in cell therapy.