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The Cell Summit Lockup
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Join us for an exclusive Thought Leadership Meeting in Indianapolis exploring the latest innovations and challenges in
biopreservation and cell therapy manufacturing. Industry experts will discuss formulation, freezing, storage,
thawing, automation, and regulatory compliance, providing insights into optimizing workflows, ensuring
product integrity, and scaling advanced therapies. Whether you’re tackling CGT development, logistics, or
regulatory hurdles, this event offers valuable perspectives and collaboration opportunities to drive next generation
cell therapy solutions.

Receive published meeting proceedings with actionable insights for
IND-enabling biopreservation success.

Join us for an exclusive Thought Leadership Meeting exploring the latest innovations and challenges in biopreservation and cell therapy manufacturing. Industry experts will discuss formulation, freezing, storage, thawing, automation, and regulatory compliance, providing insights into optimizing workflows, ensuring product integrity, and scaling advanced therapies. 

Whether you’re tackling CGT development, logistics, or regulatory hurdles, this event offers valuable perspectives and collaboration opportunities to drive nextgeneration cell therapy solutions.

Receive published meeting proceedings with actionable insights for IND-enabling biopreservation success.

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Registration
Speakers
Agenda
Sponsors
Evening Event
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Meeting Details

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Day 1

August 5th

8:30am – 5pm

Newfields Art Museum

Day 2

August 6th

8:30am – 1:30pm

Newfields Art Museum

Accommodation
& Venue

Rooms are being held at the
JW Marriott Downtown
Indianapolis, IN
This is a 20-minute ride from the airport.

Transportation from the hotel to/from
meetings and activities is included in your
registration. All other travel expenses
must be covered personally.

EVENING

Co-Mingle Event

6:30pm

Indians Baseball Game

AFTERNOON
OPTIONS

Tour Azenta Life Sciences

OR

Attend BioLife’s
New Product
Development Discussion

JW MARRIOTT
10 S WEST STREET
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204
USA

Map[39]
Click to reserve a room HERE
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Registration Form

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Name(Required)
Are you a speaker for this event?
Please indicate if you have any dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate.
On Day 2 of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to choose from one of the following three tracks: 1️⃣ Tour Azenta Life Sciences – Join a guided tour of Azenta Life Sciences to explore their cutting-edge facilities and innovative technologies supporting cell and gene therapy workflows. 2️⃣ Discuss R&D Projects with BioLife Solutions – Engage in focused discussions with BioLife Solutions’ R&D team to explore ongoing projects, share insights, and collaborate on potential innovations in cell processing and cryopreservation. 3️⃣ Depart – If you prefer to conclude your visit after morning discussions. Please select your preferred track below to help us plan accordingly.
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Speaker Panel

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Aby J. Mathew, Ph.D.

Aby J. Mathew, PhD

BioLife Solutions

Dr. Aby J. Mathew is a recognized thought leader in biopreservation for clinical applications, with extensive expertise in cell and tissue preservation technologies. He holds a B.S. in Microbiology and a Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology and is a co-developer of the industry-leading HypoThermosol® and CryoStor® biopreservation media. A driving force in the regenerative medicine field, Dr. Mathew has been instrumental in advancing the adoption of clinical-grade biopreservation solutions. His contributions include six issued and six pending patents, along with numerous peer-reviewed journal articles that continue to shape best practices in the industry.
Alan K. Smith

Alan K. Smith, PhD

Charles River

Dr. Smith has 40+ years of experience in the cell therapy and gene therapy field with experience in a wide variety of cell types and viral vector platforms. He has extensive experience in research, process development, GMP manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, analytical and assay development, GMP facilities design, construction and operation and GMP supply chain/procurement. He most recently served as Chief Technology Officer of Ambys Medicines, Inc. Prior to his time at Ambys Medicines, Dr. Smith served as Chief Technology Officer at Akouos, Inc., a gene therapy company focused on cures for genetic hearing defects (acquired by Lilly), and was Executive Vice President, Technical Operations at Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Smith previously served as Vice President of Research & Development and Cellular Therapeutics for LifeNet Health, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Over the course of his career, he has been a material contributor to more than 25 successful regulatory applications for human cell therapy clinical trials and medical devices. Dr. Smith has previously held adjunct professor appointments at Eastern Virginia Medical School, California State University, Long Beach and Utah State University and has served in a number of academic advisory panel positions. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Southern Utah University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Utah State University.
Alex Sargent, Ph.D.

Alex Sargent, PhD

Charles River

Alex Sargent – better known as “Sarge” – is currently the Director of Process Development of Cell and Gene Therapy at Charles River Laboratories. He obtained his PhD from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio, where he studied the challenges and promises of stem cell biology, neuroimmunology, and Cleveland sports teams. He then went on to the Lerner Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation to continue his research in stem cell biology and neural regeneration. Since joining the biotech industry, he has worked at several large companies on drug discovery and the research and development of groundbreaking cell and gene therapies. These include Lonza Inc., where he patented new technologies for cell therapy manufacturing and CRISPR gene editing, and AstraZeneca, where he worked to bring new chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies into clinical trials. He is passionate about the challenge of curing cancer, working on cell and gene therapy process and analytical development from discovery, through regulatory submission, manufacturing, and clinical trials. He wakes up each day excited to help advance cell and gene therapy to treat and cure disease, with the steadfast goal of improving human lives.

Alireza Abazari, Ph.D.

Alireza Abazari, PhD

BioLife Solutions

Dr. Alireza Abazari is currently the Senior Director of Cell Processing at BioLife Solutions. In this role, his leadership is in expanding BioLife Solutions capacity to assist customers and clients with product adoption. A deep understanding of biopreservation principles as well as hands-on experience in CAR-T and iPSC process development from his past roles at Pluristyx Inc. and Lyell Immunopharma, enables Alireza in his current role to offer a unique perspective to BioLife customers and clients, as well as to support BioLife’s Executive Team in navigating growth opportunities in the ever-evolving field.
Dr. Abazari received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta where he studied methods for cryopreservation of human tissues for banking. He further studied biopreservation as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. During his first tenure at BioLife Solutions as Scientific Applications Director and Senior Application Scientist, Alireza drove R&D initiatives, customer consulting, and process optimization for clients. He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, industry white papers, and abstracts on the topic of cryopreservation and process development.
We are thrilled to have him back on BioLife Team as he continues to train and educate the sector and bring innovative solutions to cell and gene therapy process development and manufacturing.

Ashley A. Krull, PhD

The Ohio State University

Ashley Krull, Ph.D., received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Washington. After graduate school, Dr. Krull completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Regenerative Neurobiology within the Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2019, Dr. Krull became Mayo Clinic’s second-ever Cellular Therapy Fellow and was granted an extended two-year fellowship, which she completed in 2021. This fellowship program included didactic, experiential, and project-driven training with an emphasis on directorship of a clinical cell therapy laboratory. Subsequently, Dr. Krull held an appointment as Instructor within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and as a consultant for a joint venture biotechnology company spun out of the lab’s work at Mayo Clinic. In 2022, Dr. Krull moved to The Ohio State University where she currently serves as the Associate Director of Cell Therapy Manufacturing and Engineering. She also holds an appointment of Assistant Professor within the Division of Hematology. Her work focuses on the optimization of manufacturing processes for immune effector cells and the translation of novel cellular therapies into the clinic.
Bruce Thompson

Bruce Thompson, PhD

Kincell Bio

Bruce Thompson, PhD., brings more than 25 years of experience to his position as Chief Technology Officer. Bruce is the Founding CEO of Kincell where he built the technical and operations team and launched Kincell’s tech-savvy CDMO offerings in the marketplace. Prior to his role with Kincell, Bruce was Vice President and Technical Lead for the Cell Therapy Franchise at Resilience, Inc., where he helped to build the development and GMP manufacturing capabilities and served as a technical advisor. Bruce has over 18 years of CMC strategy, product development and cell therapy manufacturing experience. As Vice President of Process Sciences at Lyell Immunopharma, he was responsible for Process and Analytical Development, as well as tech transfer of processes and methods to a newly built state-of-the-art cGMP facility. Before Lyell, Bruce served as the Sr. Director of the Therapeutic Products Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), where he led GMP manufacturing of cell and gene therapy products. He supported more than 15 active clinical programs and contributed to the filing of 6 INDs for various cell therapy programs. Bruce also spent nearly 10 years at Pfizer in the Pharmaceutical Sciences division where he gained expertise in analytical and process development. Bruce received his B.A. in Biology, an M.S. in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University and Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Louisville.
Donnie Beers

Donnie Beers

Entegris

Donnie Beers, Life Sciences Applications Leader for Entegris, Inc. has held many roles in process science and bioproduction over the last two decades and brings a wealth of collaboration and leadership experience gained during his past process sciences and commercial roles. Donnie joined Entegris in 2019 as Sr. Product Manager for single-use products and has since taken a lead role in in helping customers overcome unique challenges in cell and gene therapies leveraging his prior work in developing, implementing, and commercializing single-use and automation technology in biopharma. Donnie earned his BSc. in Biochemistry from University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Emily Hopewell, PhD

Indiana University

Emily Hopewell began her career at the Moffitt Cancer Center as a technologist in the Cell Therapy Facility in 2003. She received her PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of South Florida in 2012. She joined Indiana University in 2018 and is the Director of Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing (CGTM) and an Assistant Professor in Clinical Medical and Molecular Genetics. The CGTM group comprises the Vector Production Facility, Cell Immunotherapy and Transduction Facility, and the Bioprocess Development Laboratory. Dr. Hopewell oversees all aspects of manufacturing, from development efforts to clinical production of cell and gene therapies for use in clinical trials. She provides leadership, strategic direction and input on education, research and clinical missions within the Cell and Gene Therapy GMP Facilities, the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, and the Brown Center for Immunotherapy. Dr. Hopewell is active in the field of cell and gene therapy, with a focus on educating professionals and providing career development opportunities. She holds leadership positions within the International Society of Cell and Gene Therapy and is active in the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies.
Erik Woods

Erik Woods, PhD

Ossium Health

Erik Woods, PhD, is a recognized leader in cell therapy and biopreservation, with extensive expertise in cryopreservation, regenerative medicine, and translational research. He has played a pivotal role in advancing cell manufacturing, biobanking, and clinical applications for over two decades. Dr. Woods has held leadership positions across academia and industry, contributing to the development of novel preservation technologies and process optimization for cell and gene therapies. His work has influenced best practices in cell storage, transport, and viability, ensuring the successful delivery of advanced therapies to patients. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, Dr. Woods continues to shape the future of biopreservation and cell-based medicine through scientific research, technology development, and industry partnerships.
Jake -Hanks

Jake Hanks

InVitria

Jake Hanks is the Director of Business Development at InVitria, where he leads global strategic partnerships. He works closely with therapeutic developers from early R&D through clinical development and commercialization, helping integrate animal-origin-free, chemically defined proteins into manufacturing workflows to improve consistency, safety, and scalability of advanced therapies. Jake holds a BS in Finance and an MBA from the University of Tulsa. 

Jason Acker, PhD

University of Alberta

Dr. Jason Acker is a distinguished leader in biopreservation, transfusion medicine, and cell therapy manufacturing, with extensive experience bridging scientific research and industry innovation. He has dedicated his career to advancing cryopreservation technologies, blood component processing, and regenerative medicine applications. With a strong background in academic research, regulatory compliance, and technology development, Dr. Acker has contributed to improving the quality, safety, and efficacy of cellular therapies worldwide. His work has led to significant advancements in biobanking, process optimization, and cold chain logistics, ensuring the integrity of biological products from lab to patient. Through his leadership, mentorship, and scientific contributions, Dr. Acker continues to shape the future of cell therapy and biomanufacturing.

Jon Pileggi

CTMC

Jon Pileggi has over 15 years of experience in biotech with a focus on adoptive cell therapy development using automated equipment and closed systems. Over the last eight years, Jon has helped to develop over 10 cell therapy programs for entry into clinical manufacturing with a variety of modalities, including CAR-T and NK programs. Prior to joining CTMC, Jon worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center, KBI Biopharma and Bellicum Pharmaceuticals. He is also a member of the Society for Cryobiology. Jon received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Augusta State University.
Kathi Shea

Kathi Shea

Azenta Life Sciences

Kathi Shea is the Repository Chief Client Solution Officer at Azenta Life Sciences, bringing over 30 years of experience in repository leadership and specimen management. Her extensive career includes advising government agencies, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies on the design of repositories, quality systems, and optimal methods for the collection, preservation, and annotation of specimens. At Azenta, she has been instrumental in advancing automated, scalable, and quality-driven comprehensive sample management solutions, the protection of valuable inventories, and methods to realize increases in utilization and decreases in costs. She played a pivotal role in the development of Azenta’s global state-of-the-art biorepository facilities, including Indianapolis and greater Boston. Kathi is a notable figure in the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), having served on its Board for eight years in various roles, including Director, Secretary Treasurer, and President. She received ISBER’s Distinguished Leadership Award in 2020.
Leela Paris, PhD

Leela Paris, PhD

Aspect Biosystems

Leela L. Paris, PhD, is the Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Aspect Biosystems. She was previously with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for over five years. Dr. Paris received her doctorate in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University. Dr. Paris also worked as the Laboratory Director at Cook General Biotechnology and as Global Product Manager of Automation for Cook Regentec. She has extensive experience in manufacturing and development was the Vice President of Manufacturing and Process Engineering at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Executive Director of MSAT focusing on automation and business processes.
Mandana Haack-Sørensen

Mandana Haack-Sørensen, PhD

Cell2Cure

Mandana Haack-Sørensen, MSc, PhD is a leading expert in stem cell manufacturing and translational research with more than two decades of experience in cell therapy innovation. As Director of Manufacturing at Cell2Cure, she oversees the compliant production of advanced cell-based therapies for national and international clinical trials. Her expertise spans functional cell biology, regenerative medicine, quality assurance, quality control, and the development of both manual and automated cell expansion platforms. Mandana previously held leadership roles at the Cardiology Stem Cell Centre at Rigshospitalet, where she managed stem cell production, storage, and distribution. She holds a doctorate in Health Sciences from the University of Copenhagen and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Denmark. As a published scientist with over 50 peer-reviewed articles, she is also a co-inventor on a patent for adipose-derived stem cell therapy and co-founder of Cell2Cure, a company born out of the Capital Region of Denmark.
Mark Rehse

Mark Rehse, MSc

Accellix

Mark Rehse is a seasoned professional with over 40 years’ experience serving in various research and commercial roles in the biotechnology industry. Mark graduated in 1979 with a BS from University of California at Berkeley followed by an MS from San Diego State University. He started his technical training in analytical methods and immunology at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation followed by research roles at both Genentech and CellPro, Inc. Mark accepted his first commercial role with CompuCyte as Director of European Operations in 1996 and has since worked within the biotech industry in technical sales leadership roles at Beckman Coulter and at small start-up biotech companies. Recently, after 7 years as National Sales Manager for Thomson Instrument Company in Oceanside, CA Mark retired and spent about 6 months rattling around before he realized he really missed the excitement of the pioneering work being done in biotechnology. So, as perhaps a last stint he returned to a traditional sales role at Accellix where he is currently Senior Sales Manager for the Western US.
Matthew Branch

Matthew Branch, PhD

King's College of London

Matthew Branch is a seasoned researcher in ocular stem cell therapy with over 15 years of experience advancing regenerative approaches for corneal and retinal repair. Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at King’s College London, Matthew leads a multidisciplinary team focused on developing GMP-compliant stem cell manufacturing processes for early-phase clinical trials. His expertise spans adult and pluripotent stem cell biology, cell culture, molecular biology, and flow cytometry. He received his PhD in Mesenchymal Stem Cells & Ocular Surface from the University of Nottingham and his MSc in Molecular Medicine from The University of Sheffield. Prior to his role at King’s, he held research and technical positions at UCL, where he also managed a flow cytometry core, and at the University of Nottingham. Matthew’s work continues to bridge cutting-edge research and clinical application, driving innovations in cell therapy for vision restoration.
Nikhil Joshi

Nikhil Joshi

Cellular Vehicles

Nikhil Joshi is a Biomedical Engineer with a B.S. and M.S. in the field. As an undergraduate at UC San Diego, he served as a Research Assistant in Dr. Adam Engler’s lab, where he explored methods to guide stem cells toward specific mature cell lineages. He later pursued graduate studies at Columbia University, conducting research in Dr. Clark Hung’s lab focused on enhancing nutrient delivery to engineered tissue constructs for cartilage regeneration. Following his academic work, Nikhil spent over a decade in the medtech industry as both an Engineer and Product Manager, contributing to the development of several groundbreaking medical robotics platforms. Before co-founding Cellular Vehicles, he was part of the team at Auris Health that built Monarch, the world’s first robotic endoscopy system. Nikhil is a co-inventor on nine patented technologies. Throughout his career, he has been driven by a core question: how can technology elevate the quality of healthcare and expand access for patients?
Olga Bukatova, Ph.D.

Olga Bukatova, PhD

Azenta Life Sciences

Olga Bukatova brings over a decade of experience driving innovation in GMP manufacturing for Cell and Gene Therapies. Her expertise spans key areas such as process automation, cryopreservation and thawing, isolator technologies, and aseptic fill & finish. Passionate about making advanced therapies accessible to patients, Olga has collaborated with start-ups, public institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and CDMOs. As a member of the ISCT Cold Chain Working Group and co-host of the Bridging the Gap webinar series, she remains deeply engaged in tackling the complex challenges facing the CGT industry.

Rachel Legmann, PhD

Repligen

Rachel has more than 25 years of experience in the field of scalable biologics and gene therapy manufacturing of therapeutic products, viral vectors and proteins for gene therapy and biologics. She completed her Ph.D. in Food Engineering and Biotechnology at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel. Rachel joined Repligen in 2021 as a subject matter expert leading the global gene therapy organization helping customers achieve their technical and operational objectives in their manufacturing of vector-based therapeutics and vaccines with a focus on gene therapy processes including upstream, downstream, analytics and scalability. In addition to supporting global customers and building high level networks, Rachel is supporting various internal cross-functional activities and external collaborations. Prior to joining Repligen, Rachel held several scientific and leadership roles at Microbiology & Molecular Genetics department at Harvard Medical School, CRO SBH Sciences, Seahorse Biosciences part of Agilent, CDMO Goodwin Biotechnology and Pall Corp part of Danaher.
Rui Li, Ph.D.

Rui Li, PhD

EastWind CryoWorks

Rui Li, PhD is cryobiologist and strategic generalist dedicated to bridging across organizations and empowering innovators in advanced therapies with adaptive preservation toolsets. With a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, she has led R&D initiatives across academia, start-up, and corporate settings and has been instrumental in industry working groups shaping the future of advanced therapy manufacturing. As the founder of EastWind CryoWorks, she currently consults for startups, non-profits and corporations developing cutting-edge cellular and cold chain technologies while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Ryan Murray

Ryan Murray, PhD

Bayer

Ryan Murray, PhD, is a distinguished cell therapy formulation specialist with extensive experience in developing and optimizing cell therapy products for manufacturing, preservation, and delivery. With a strong academic background that includes a BA and MS in chemistry, as well as a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, Ryan has cultivated a deep understanding of the complexities involved in the formulation of biologics and small molecules. His expertise lies in employing novel formulation strategies and various aseptic and automated processes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cell therapy manufacturing. Passionate about advancing the field of cell therapy, Ryan is dedicated to exploring innovative analytical techniques that contribute to the expansion and improvement of cell therapy products. His work not only addresses current challenges in the industry but also aims to pave the way for future breakthroughs.
Sean Werner, Ph.D.

Sean Werner, PhD

BioLife Solutions

Sean Werner is the Chief Technology Officer at BioLife Solutions, a leading provider of bioproduction tools and services to the cell and gene therapy and broader biopharma markets. BioLife acquired Sexton Biotechnologies in 2021 where Sean was President of the company known for providing processing and handling solutions for the CGT industry. Sean received his PhD from Purdue University in Biology followed by post-doctoral positions at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Eli Lilly. Sean has previous experience filling various roles in the scientific, global regulatory, and general management functions supporting medical devices, autologous cell therapy, and single use disposable development programs. In his 23 years working in the life science industry, he has guided regenerative medicine research programs, pre-clinical and clinical testing and submission strategies leading to global commercialization of medical devices and bioprocessing tools and successful initiation of multi-national cell therapy clinical studies.
Stephen Thompson, Ph.D.

Steven Thompson, PhD

BioLife Solutions

Steven Thompson is a results-driven leader in cell therapies, regenerative medicine, and bioproduction tools, currently serving as Vice President of Sales at BioLife Solutions. With a PhD in Stem Cell Biology from the University of Liverpool, he combines scientific expertise with commercial acumen to drive sales, product development, and strategic partnerships. Previously, he co-founded Sexton Biotechnologies, leading its growth until its acquisition by BioLife Solutions. His career includes roles at Cook Regentec and Sigma-Aldrich, where he specialized in business development, sales strategy, and product commercialization. Passionate about advancing bioproduction technologies, Steven is dedicated to optimizing cell and gene therapy manufacturing to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Terrence Rindler

Bristol Myers Squibb

Terrence Rindler is a Director of Technology Transfer within the Cell Therapy Technical Operations organization of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). Terrence has spent his 20+ year career advancing cell therapy products, focused on production, aseptic operations, and automated equipment with leadership roles in Manufacturing Sciences and Technology, Validation Engineering, and Quality. At BMS, Terrence is responsible for delivering automation and technology solutions to the commercial cell therapy manufacturing network with the goal of scaling production efficiently to serve more patients. At Seattle-based Juno Therapeutics (now BMS), Terrence led multiple engineering efforts through the development and commercialization of Breyanzi® (lisocabtagene maraleucel) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). At Dendreon, Terrence contributed to the buildout of three commercial plants enabling prostate cancer therapy Provenge ® (sipuleucel-T) to become the first FDA-approved cellular therapy. Terrence earned his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Xiaoxia Cui

Xiaoxia Cui, PhD

Genome Engineering Stem Cell Center (GESC at MGI)

Xiaoxia Cui is the Director of the Genome Engineering Stem Cell Center (GESC@MGI). She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her joining the GESC as Director in March 2017, Dr. Cui spent 12 years in industry, developing programmable nuclease-based genome engineering tools for cell line and animal model creation. As the head of R&D at SAGE Labs, later Horizon Discovery, she pioneered the generation and commercialization of rodent, especially genetically modified rat models, using zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) and CRIPSR technologies. Under her leadership, the GESC has grown to be the largest core facility of its kind in the country, generating hundreds of research models each year and supporting over 150 WashU labs as well as 50 external research groups in the US and internationally.

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Agenda Topics

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TOPIC

Implementation of Biopreservation Best Practices in Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing

TOPIC

Preserving the Promise: Unique Challenges When Cryopreserving Starting Materials

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Cryopreservation in Academia: Balancing Variability, Volume, and Viability

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Comprehensive quality control analyses for gene-edited iPSCs

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Innovations in iPSC Cryopreservation

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Mastering Formulation and Freezing for Optimal Cell Viability

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Enhancing T Cell Recovery Post-Thaw: Combinatorial Effects of HPL and Defined Supplements

TOPIC

Choosing the Right Cryogenic Packaging: Impacts on Process and Outcomes

TOPIC

Addressing industry challenges in closed system processing and automation for CGT

TOPIC

Perfusion-powered production of over 100 CAR-T doses in a 2-litre stirred-tank bioreactor using intensified lentivirus production

TOPIC

Process Optimization Considerations: Storage and Controls

TOPIC

Proof of Concept: Fully Enclosed CAR-T Processing Without a Biosafety Cabinet

TOPIC

Best Practices in Thawing to Maximize Cell Recovery and Function

TOPIC

Innovative Container Solutions for Efficient Downstream Processing

TOPIC

Large vs. Small Volume Considerations

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Last Mile: Day-of-treatment CGT Dose Prep Automation in a Small, Closed System

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Integrated Automation in Manufacturing to Improve CGT Scalability

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Automated Storage: Enhancing Efficiency, Material Integrity and Compliance

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Process Optimization: Weighing Build vs. Buy in CGT Manufacturing

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Bringing the Power of Automated Flow Cytometry to the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Suite

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Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors: What is their Role in the Future of Biopreservation

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Navigating Regulatory Challenges around Formulation and Cryopreservation

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Mixing and Filling in the Manufacturing Process: Addressing Homogeneity, Settling, and Aggregation Concerns

TOPIC

Point of Care Biopreservation: The Fresh vs. Frozen Debatea

TOPIC

Downstream processes for GMP-grade therapeutic cell products

TOPIC

Operational scale up challenges in cell and gene

TOPIC

Regulatory Audits in an Evolving Landscape: Standardization Challenges & Solutions

Two female scientists in lab coats reviewing data on a tablet in a laboratory setting.

THE CELL SUMMIT OBJECTIVE

This meeting goes beyond simply discussing industry challenges—it is a collaborative forum focused on solutions, best practices, and actionable insights derived from real-world experience. Through expert-led discussions, we aim to drive innovation, optimize processes, and advance the field of cell therapy manufacturing.

MEETING OUTCOMES

Attendees will gain valuable insights from a published proceedings document summarizing key discussions, solutions, and best practices shared during the meeting. Beyond knowledge exchange, this event fosters new connections and first hand exposure to innovative approaches being successfully implemented across the industry.

Registration
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Sponsors

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Azenta Life Sciences

Azenta life sciences is dedicated to enabling life sciences organizations around the world to bring impactful breakthroughs and therapies to market – faster.

Entegris

Enabling the Technologies that Transform the World

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Evening
Event Details

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On Tuesday, August 5th, join us for an exciting evening at Victory Field, where the Indianapolis Indians will face off against the Omaha Storm Chasers. The game begins at 6:35 PM, and we’ve reserved the exclusive First Base Party Terrace for our group, offering a prime viewing experience.

Located just steps away from the JW Marriott, Victory Field provides convenient access for attendees. Our private terrace will feature a catered menu of classic ballpark favorites and a selection of beers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, ensuring a delightful experience for all.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a thrilling baseball game in a vibrant atmosphere with colleagues and friends.

Indianapolis Indians Baseball Stadium during a game

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