Scientific Program

ISCT ANZ 2026 Background
Scientific Program

From Breakthrough Science to Patient Impact:
Defining the Future of Cell and Gene Therapy

Prof. Melissa Little
ISCT ANZ 2026 Geoff Symonds Oration Speaker

Prof. Melissa Little, AC

BSc (Hons I), PhD, GAICD, FAAHMS, FAAS

CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW)

Chief Scientist at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Melbourne, Australia

Meet a Pioneer in Kidney Regeneration and Stem Cell Science at the ISCT ANZ 2026 Regional Meeting

The Geoff Symonds Oration is named in honour of Dr. Geoffrey Symonds, a molecular biologist and pioneering gene therapist whose work in HIV helped define what it means to lead science from discovery through to translation. The Oration is delivered by a leading scientist who has made a pioneering contribution to the field of cell and gene therapy.

We are proud to announce that Professor Melissa Little will deliver the Geoff Symonds Oration at the ISCT ANZ 2026 Regional Meeting.

Professor Little is CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) and Chief Scientist at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne. An internationally recognised stem cell scientist, she pioneered the generation of kidney organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. Her research exemplifies how deep scientific understanding can be translated into therapeutic impact.

Session Objectives

  • 1. From Discovery to Impact: Gain an overview of the career pathway that led from fundamental biological discovery through to meaningful translational outcomes in kidney regeneration.
  • 2. Building for Translation: Develop an understanding of how to incorporate new technologies, engage industry partners, and build collaborative networks that drive effective translation.
  • 3. Lessons from the Field: Learn from the challenges and setbacks encountered along the way and be inspired by what becomes possible when science is pursued with vision and persistence.

Plenary Sessions

PLENARY 1

Emerging Cell and Gene Therapy Strategies for Pulmonary Disease

Co-Chairs

Emily Blyth

Emily Blyth

B.Med(Hons), FRACP, FRCPA, PhD

Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia

Siok Tey

Siok Tey

MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP, FRCPA

QIMR Berghofer, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

Session Description:

This session will explore emerging advances in mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) biology and translation into therapies for pulmonary disease, alongside innovations in gene delivery to the lung. With insights from immunology, regenerative medicine, and gene therapy, speakers will highlight how these approaches are moving toward effective clinical applications.

Session Objectives:

  • 1. From Discovery to Impact: Examine how advances in MSC biology and immune interactions inform therapeutic mechanisms in lung disease.
  • 2. Building for Translation: Understand how microenvironmental and intrinsic cellular factors influence MSC potency, consistency, and clinical outcomes.
  • 3. Lessons from the Field: Evaluate current progress in manufacturing and gene delivery strategies that support scalable, effective therapies for pulmonary indications.

Session Speakers

Daniel J. Weiss

Daniel J. Weiss, MD, PhD

University of Vermont

Vermont, United States

Tracy Heng

Tracy Heng, PhD

Monash University

Melbourne, Australia

Ali McCarron

Ali McCarron, PhD

Adelaide University

Adelaide, Australia

PLENARY 2

Gene Editing: From Precision Design to Clinical Reality

Co-Chairs

Jessica Li

Jessica Li

PhD

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne

Tessa Gargett

Tessa Gargett

PhD

SA Health, South Australia

Session Description:

This session highlights cutting-edge advances in gene editing from engineered cellular systems to first-in-human personalised therapies. Speakers will showcase how synthetic biology, CAR T reprogramming, and in vivo gene editing will enable highly precise and adaptable treatments for cancer and rare genetic disease.

Session Objectives:

  • 1. From Discovery to Impact: Understand how synthetic biology and gene editing are being used to design next-generation cellular and antibody-based therapies.
  • 2. Building for Translation: Explore innovative gene-editing strategies to rewire CAR T cells for improved specificity, function, and tumour-restricted activity.
  • 3. Lessons from the Field: Evaluate emerging in vivo gene-editing approaches, including rapid, patient-specific therapies for rare genetic disorders, and their implications for future clinical translation.

Session Speakers

Sarah Grandinette

Sarah Grandinette, PhD

University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, United States

Paul Beavis

Paul Beavis, PhD

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Victoria, Australia

Shalin Naik

Shalin Naik, PhD

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Parkville, Australia

PLENARY 3

Off-the-Shelf Cell Therapies for Transplant and Immunotherapy

Co-Chairs

Ngaire Elwood

Ngaire Elwood AM

BSc(Hons), PhD

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville

Gaurav Sutrave

Gaurav Sutrave

MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPA

Westmead Hospital, Sydney

Session Description:

This session will highlight emerging off-the-shelf and engineered cell therapy strategies for transplantation and immunotherapy. Featuring advances in cord blood expansion, exosome-based immunotherapy, and novel allogeneic platforms, speakers will demonstrate how scalable, accessible treatments are reshaping care for cancer and other immune-mediated diseases.

Session Objectives:

  • 1. From Discovery to Impact: Explore how cord blood–derived and other allogeneic platforms are enabling off-the-shelf cell therapies for transplantation and cancer treatment.
  • 2. Building for Translation: Examine innovative approaches such as exosome-based immunotherapies and engineered cell products to improve tumour targeting, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
  • 3. Lessons from the Field: Understand how expanded and engineered cell platforms can enhance engraftment, immune recovery, and anti-tumour responses.

Session Speakers

Colleen Delaney

Colleen Delaney, MD, MSc

Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Seattle, United States

Rebecca Li

Rebecca Li, PhD

INOVIQ Ltd

Victoria, Australia

Vera Evtimov

Vera Evtimov, PhD

Cartherics Pty Ltd

Notting Hill, Australia

PLENARY 4

Advancing T-Cell Therapies in Transplant and Malignancy

Co-Chairs

Giulia Giunti

Giulia Giunti

PhD

BioOra, Wellington, New Zealand

Session Description:

This session will showcase next-generation immunotherapy strategies focused on engineering T cells to improve safety, durability, and efficacy across both haematological malignancies and solid tumours. In addition, advances in transplant-integrated cellular therapies, including engineered donor T cells and strategies to enhance graft-versus-tumour effects while minimising graft-versus-host disease, will highlight how immunotherapy and transplant biology will expand treatment options.

Session Objectives:

  • 1. From Discovery to Impact: Understand how next-generation T-cell engineering is being designed to overcome current limitations in safety, persistence, and tumour targeting.
  • 2. Building for Translation: Explore emerging strategies to extend immunotherapy effectiveness in solid tumours and resistant cancers.
  • 3. Lessons from the Field: Examine how transplant engineering approaches, including modified donor T-cell therapies, are improving outcomes and shaping the future integration of immunotherapy and haematopoietic cell transplantation.

Session Speakers

Andras Heczey

Andras Heczey, MD

Seattle Children’s Research Institute

United States

Philipp C. Rommel

Philipp C. Rommel, Dr. rer. nat.

Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Australia

Marie Bleakley

Marie Bleakley, MD, PhD, MMSC

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

United States

Roundtable Sessions

National Strategy and Policy: Health Technology Assessment, Funding, and Future Access Pathways for Advanced Therapies ▾
Co-Chairs: Emily Blyth, B.Med(Hons), FRACP, FRCPA, PhD (Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia) & Dominic Fernandez, CCP, MS, MBA (Epworth Healthcare, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia)

This roundtable brings together national and state policy leaders to explore how advanced therapies — including CAR T and cell and gene therapies — are assessed, funded, and delivered across ANZ. Topics include HTA processes, state-led implementation, and how emerging manufacturing models may reshape reimbursement and policy frameworks.

Speakers
Vanessa Fitzgerald

Vanessa Fitzgerald, BASc

NSW Health, Australia

Glen Kennedy

Glen Kennedy

Queensland Health, Australia

Penny Shakespeare

Penny Shakespeare, LLB

Australian Department of Health, Australia

Career Pathways Along the Translational Pipeline ▾
Co-Chairs: Gemma Moir-Meyer, PhD (University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand) & Gaurav Sutrave, BSc(Med), MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPA (Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia)

A behind-the-scenes view of CGT career development from the immediate lived experiences of rising talents to the long-term strategic insights of industry veterans.

Speakers

Confirmed speakers will be announced shortly.

Concurrent Sessions

Please check back for program updates.

Beyond Blood Cancers: New Horizons for CAR Therapy ▾
Co-Chairs: Alicia Didsbury, PhD (The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand) & Lachlan Dobson, BBioMedSci (University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

This session will highlight innovative cell therapy approaches designed to address diseases beyond traditional haematological malignancies. Speakers will cover: next-generation engineered immune cells, strategies to overcome barriers within solid tumour microenvironment and chronic viral infections, and the translation of novel cellular therapies into early-phase clinical trials. Topics will include CAR-T and CAR-NK approaches targeting solid cancers, as well as emerging applications of CAR-T therapy for HIV.

Speakers
Boro Dropulić

Boro Dropulić, PhD, MBA

Caring Cross, United States

Misty Jenkins

Misty Jenkins, PhD

WEHI, Australia

Alex McLellan

Alex McLellan, PhD

University of Otago, New Zealand

Bioengineering – Engineering Cell Niches: Designing Microenvironments for Potent Therapies ▾
Co-Chairs: Sharon Sagnella, PhD (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia) & Robert Nordon, MBBS, PhD (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)

This session will explore how engineered materials and fabrication methods can guide cell behaviour and support tissue repair. Speakers will cover cell responses to physical cues, 3D printed scaffolds, orthopaedic tissue repair, and material systems that help move research toward clinical use.

Speakers
Jess Frith

Jess Frith, PhD

Monash University, Australia

Gordon Wallace

Gordon Wallace, PhD

University of Wollongong, Australia

Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina

Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina, PhD

University of New South Wales, Australia

Engineering Next-Generation Therapies: From iPSC Cell Engineering to In Vivo Gene Editing ▾
Co-Chairs: Zlatibor Velickovic, BSc(Hons), PhD (Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia) & Jane Li, PhD (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)

Advances across cell and gene-based therapies are contributing to the evolution of precision medicine for complex diseases. This session will explore advances in iPSC-derived cell therapies, AI-enabled design and optimisation of stem cell systems, and direct in vivo gene editing strategies. Together, these approaches highlight new pathways toward scalable and precise treatments, with applications in neurodegenerative disease, hypercholesterolaemia, and beyond.

Speakers
Lachlan Thompson

Lachlan Thompson, PhD

University of Sydney, Australia

Stuart Chambers

Stuart Chambers, PhD

University of Otago, Brightfield Therapeutics, New Zealand

Sandeep Soni

Sandeep Soni, MD

Mammoth Biosciences, University of California, United States

Validated Assays for Clinical Manufacture ▾
Co-Chairs: Cheryl Hutchins, PhD (Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia) & Heather Donaghy, PhD (Therapeutic Innovation Australia, Sydney, Australia)

Translation of research product to a clinical trial requires a mindshift from research to manufacturing consistency. This session will focus on developing and validating testing methodologies for CAR/Vector/Cell Therapy during manufacture.

Speakers
Matthew M. Hewitt

Matthew M. Hewitt, PhD

Charles River Laboratories, United States

Dario Stupar

Dario Stupar, PhD

QIMR Berghofer, Australia

Kelly Wray

Kelly Wray, BMedBiotech (Hons)

Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia

Regulatory Updates ▾
Co-Chairs: Dominic Wall, PhD, FFcRCPA (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia) & Kasey Kime, MQS, MPhil, MBA (BioOra Limited, New Zealand)

Regulatory updates from the statutory regulators followed by questions from the audience to the regulators about key updates.

Speakers
Karin van Bart

Karin van Bart, MD

New Zealand Medsafe, New Zealand

Tim Strabala

Tim Strabala, PhD

Environmental Protection Authority, New Zealand

Cibelly Goulart

Cibelly Goulart, PhD

Australia Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, Australia

Dennis Dowhan

Dennis Dowhan, PhD

Therapeutic Goods Administration – Biological Science Section, Australia

Alyce Maksoud

Alyce Maksoud

Therapeutic Goods Administration – Manufacturing Quality Branch, Australia

Grill the Regulator ▾
Co-Chairs: Dominic Wall, PhD, FFcRCPA (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia) & Kasey Kime, MQS, MPhil, MBA (BioOra Limited, New Zealand)

Discussion with the regulators on specific areas of current interest in the region through pre-prepared questions and topics followed by questions to the regulators on the various topics.

Speakers
Karin van Bart

Karin van Bart, MD

New Zealand Medsafe, New Zealand

Tim Strabala

Tim Strabala, PhD

Environmental Protection Authority, New Zealand

Cibelly Goulart

Cibelly Goulart, PhD

Australia Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, Australia

Dennis Dowhan

Dennis Dowhan, PhD

Therapeutic Goods Administration – Biological Science Section, Australia

Alyce Maksoud

Alyce Maksoud

Therapeutic Goods Administration – Manufacturing Quality Branch, Australia

Commercial Workstream – Capital Raising to FIH to Path to Commercialisation ▾
Chair: Dominic Fernandez, CCP, MS, MBA (Epworth Healthcare, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia)

This session at ISCT ANZ Melbourne 2026 brings together leaders from Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility (VVMF), Chimeric Therapeutics, and Cell Therapy Platform Laboratory (CTPL) to examine the commercial realities of advancing cell and gene therapies from translation to scalable delivery. It will focus on the intersection of manufacturing strategy, regulatory planning, IP positioning, and capital design required to move assets beyond early clinical development. The discussion will provide an operator-level view of how to build sustainable, investable programs within the constraints of the Australian market.

Speakers
Rebecca McQualter

Rebecca McQualter, B.Med (Hons), PhD

Chimeric Therapeutics, Australia

Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson, BEng

Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility, Sydney, Australia

Bev Menner

Bev Menner, PhD

Cell Therapies Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia

Leszek Lisowski

Leszek Lisowski, PhD, MBA

VVMF, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Colin McLean

Colin McLean

Cell Therapies Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia

The Translational Pathway: Designing and Delivering Phase I Cell and Gene Therapy Trials ▾
Co-Chairs: Tessa Gargett, PhD (SA Health, South Australia, Australia) & Alicia Didsbury, PhD (The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand)

Audience will get to hear three different perspectives on clinical translation in the ANZ region. Speakers will be asked to reflect on their experienced with their chosen approval pathways, which include both TGA/CTA and FDA/IND. Audience can expect honest and practical insights on how to overcome challenges in the translation of cell and gene therapies.

Speakers
Geraldine O’Neill

Geraldine O’Neill, PhD

Children’s Hospital, Westmead, Australia

Simon Barry

Simon Barry, PhD

Adelaide University, Australia

Leon Brownrigg

Leon Brownrigg, PhD

CTTWA Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia

Gene Therapy in Human Studies: Signals, Safety, and Promise ▾
Co-Chairs: Mark Dowling, BA, BSc (Hons), PhD, MBBS, FRACP (Peter MacCallum Centre & Royal Melbourne Hospital) & Andrea Henden, PhD (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia)

This session presents early clinical trial results from gene therapy approaches targeting cancer, lipid disorders and metabolic liver disease. Speakers will outline findings from in vivo CAR T therapy for multiple myeloma, CRISPR-based gene editing for lowering blood lipids, and gene therapy studies for treating OTC deficiency in infants.

Speakers
Simon Harrison

Simon Harrison, MBBS, MRCP(uk), FRCPath(uk), FRACP, PhD

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia

Yazi Ke

Yazi Ke, PhD

Macquarie University, Celosia

ESP Session ▾
Co-Chairs: Gemma Moir-Meyer, PhD (University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand) & Gaurav Sutrave, BSc(Med), MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPA (Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia)
Speakers
Colleen Delaney

Colleen Delaney, MD, MSc

Seattle Children’s Research Institute, United States

Marie Bleakley

Marie Bleakley, MD, PhD, MMSC

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, United States