Process Automation, Analytics Working Group

Charter

The Process Automation, Analytics and Development (PAAD) Working Group is a sub-committee of the ISCT Process Development & Manufacturing Committee. PAAD works to gather feedback and insights across two focus areas, Process Development and Analytics as well as Automation and Digitization, to ultimately drive consensus and provide guidance as these focus areas develop. 

They work to develop externally- facing content related to PDA and A+D activities in the form of Whitepapers/ Reviews/ Opinion Pieces, Surveys, Guidance Documents, and Webinars. 

Goal

To engage and communicate within the CGT community, general public, governmental and non governmental organizations to raise the profile of ISCT to the extremal cell and gene community as a leader and resource for CGT translational education.

Projects & Objectives 2026: 

5 Part Webinar Series: 

          1) Introduction of AI/ML in the Cell and Gene Therapy space: Definitions and Data Standardization. [Click here to view recording]

         2) Harnessing AI and Advanced Analytics for Donor Selection and Starting Material Characterization . [Click here to view recording]

       3) From Data to Decisions: AI and ML in CGT Process Development and Manufacturing. Webinar planned for February 2026

       4) Cost Reduction & Predictive Analytics * Title TBC. Webinar planned for Q1 2026

        5) Regulatory Applications of AI/ML* Title TBC. Webinar planned for Q2 2026

Survey: Working group recently distributed a U&A survey on Process Analytical Technologies and In-line Automation. Responses to inform upcoming PAT whitepaper, due for publish Q1 2026. 

Analysis:  initiate project group to address unique technology challenges in in vivo CAR-T compared to autologous/allogeneic therapies. 

White paper: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digitalization systems in the cell and gene therapy sector (2025)  https://www.isct-cytotherapy.org/article/S1465-3249(25)00713-3/fulltext

    The 2026 Working Group

    Co-Chair

    Stephanie Davies, PhD
    Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

    Ireland

    Co-Chair

    Dalip Sethi, PhD
    Terumo BCT

    United States

    Geoffrey Stephens

    AiCella

    Ezequiel Zylberberg

    Akron Biotech

    Ray Kallaher

    Applied Stemcell 

    Antoine Bourguignon

    Aseptic Technologies 

    Will Ansari
    Aspen Neuro Science

    Sharon Barkatullah

    Catapult CGT

    Priya Balasubramanian
    CTMC

    Michael Le

    CCRM

    John Cesarek
    Cellares
    Kevin Harte

    Cook Myosite 

    Romain Roberts
    Cryoport Systems

    Priya Balasubramanian  

    CTMC

    Mojtaba Parvizi

    Cytiva 

    Bret Morse

    Dark Horse Consulting 

    Laura Herbst

    Fraunhofer Institute 

    Michelle Duquette

    Invetech 

    Behnam Ahmadian

    Lonza

    Renee Hart

    LumaCyte

    Heather Malicki

    Minaris Advanced Therapies

    Rukmini Ladi
    Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH

    Amanda Vanden Hoek 

    Stemcell Technologies

    Rachel Garcia 

    Terumo BCT

    Brianna Schoen

    Vitalant