CAR-T Therapy: The Vanguard of Cancer Immunotherapy

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

This webinar brings together three leading voices from Japan’s academic and industrial sectors to explore the evolving landscape of CAR-T cell therapy. Prof. Keichiro Mihara of Fujita Health University will present his insights on the progress and challenges of off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies, emphasizing scalable and accessible treatment models. Prof. Koji Tamada, MD, PhD, of Yamaguchi University will share cutting-edge research on immune-regulatory CAR-T cells targeting intractable solid tumors, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized immunotherapy. Dr. Yasushi Tanaka, President of Teijin Regenet (TRG), will introduce the company’s strategic initiatives to commercialize and deliver advanced cell therapies, highlighting Japan’s role in translating innovation into clinical solutions. This session is designed for professionals in cell and gene therapy, oncology, and regenerative medicine, providing a unique opportunity to learn from Japan’s integrated approach to innovation, collaboration, and global outreach.

Register and Access the Webinar

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Describe the recent advancements and challenges in the development of off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies. 
  • Analyze the novel immune-regulatory CAR-T cell approaches for treating intractable solid tumors and evaluate their potential for clinical application. 
  • Understand the strategic initiatives and industrial efforts of Teijin Regenet in the field of cell therapy, and explain how Japan is working to commercialize and deliver cutting-edge CAR-T therapies. 
  • Identify key examples of academic-industry collaboration in CAR-T therapy in Japan and discuss their implications for global expansion through international partnerships.
 WEBINAR CHAIR

Pawan Kumar Gupta, MD, PhD, DNB, MBBS
ISCT Asia Regional Vice President
President, Medical & Regulatory Affairds
Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd.
India

Dr. Pawan Kumar Gupta, MBBS, MD, DNB, PhD is a Hematologist and Medical Scientist with over 24 years of experience in the Indian Armed Forces and regenerative medicine. He currently serves as President of Medical & Regulatory Affairs at Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd., India’s first stem cell company focused on clinical development of allogeneic bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for unmet medical needs.

Formerly Dean of the Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Gupta has guided the development of Stempeucel® from pre-clinical studies to clinical trials, achieving manufacturing and marketing approval for three indications in India. He has held research positions at the Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, and has authored over 100 publications. Dr. Gupta is also the Asia Regional Vice President of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT).

 WEBINAR SPEAKERS

Keichiro Mihara, MD, PhD
Professor, Division of Translational Research, International
Center for Cell and Gene Therapy
Fujita Health University
Japan

Keichiro Mihara, MD, PhD, is a Professor at the International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and the Department of Cellular Immunotherapies for Cancer at Fujita Health University. He earned his MD from Tottori University and his PhD from Hiroshima University, followed by postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Center Japan and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States.

Dr. Mihara previously served as Assistant and later Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Hiroshima University, where his work centered on hematologic malignancies and cellular immunotherapy. His research spans cancer immunology, translational cell therapy, and hematopoietic disease.

He is an active member of multiple academic societies, including the Japanese Society of Hematology—where he serves as councilor—the American Society of Hematology, and societies focused on oncology, transplantation, cellular therapy, and immunotherapy for hematological disorders.

Koji Tamada, MD, PhD
Director, Research Institute for Cell Design Medical Science
Professor, Department of Immunology, Graduate
School of Medicine
Yamaguchi University
Japan

Dr. Koji Tamada is President and CEO of Noile-Immune Biotech Inc., Director of the Research Institute for Cell Design Medical Science at Yamaguchi University, and Professor and Chairman of Immunology at the Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo.

Dr. Tamada completed his medical training and PhD at Kyushu University, followed by advanced research appointments in the United States at the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the University of Maryland’s Greenebaum Cancer Center. His work has been central to advancing cancer immunology and next-generation cell therapy platforms.

A recognized leader in the field, he holds key roles in several professional societies, including Vice President of both the Japanese Association of Cancer Immunology and the Japan Research Association for Immunotherapeutics. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Japan Society of Biological Therapy and is a Councillor of the Japanese Cancer Association. Dr. Tamada contributes to scientific publishing as Associate Editor for Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy and Cancer Science.

Yasushi Tanaka, PhD
President
TEIJIN REGENET Co., Ltd.
Japan

Yasushi Tanaka, PhD, is the President of TEIJIN REGENET Co., Ltd., where he oversees the company’s strategic direction and growth in regenerative medicine. Dr. Tanaka has built a broad leadership career across the diagnostics and biomanufacturing sectors, holding roles that span commercial, operational, and executive management.

He previously served as Senior Vice President of Sekisui Diagnostics UK, General Manager of CDMO Business at Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd., and Sales & Marketing Manager at CustomBiotech, Roche Diagnostics. His work has focused on advancing diagnostic technologies, scaling CDMO capabilities, and guiding innovative healthcare businesses through global markets. Dr. Tanaka assumed the presidency of TEIJIN REGENET in 2023, where he continues to drive the development and commercialization of advanced regenerative medicine solutions.