Scientific Program

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

Dr. Bruce Levine keynote banner Dr. Bruce Levine keynote banner

Meet a Pioneer in Cell and Gene Therapy at the ISCT Asia 2026 Regional Meeting

The Next Chapter in the Fantastic Voyage of CAR T Cell Therapy: Potency, Access, and Delivery

We are excited to announce that Dr. Bruce Levine (University of Pennsylvania), Founding Director of the Clinical Cell and Vaccine Production Facility and co-inventor of the first FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy (Kymriah), will deliver the keynote to open the ISCT Asia 2026 Regional Meeting this September.

With a history of first-in-human clinical trials, Dr. Levine’s work has consistently focused on what it takes to make engineered cell therapies reliable, manufacturable, and accessible. Drawing on insights from more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters, and co-invention of over 30 U.S. patents, his keynote will explore how the field can responsibly broaden patient impact by improving cell potency and production while maintaining the quality systems that advanced therapies require.

Key Topics

  1. Next-Gen Manufacturing: Automation, closed systems, analytics, and standardization to improve scalability and consistency across centralized and hybrid models.
  2. Expanding Horizons: Progress and remaining barriers in applying cell therapy to solid tumors and autoimmune diseases.
  3. Beyond Autologous: Realistic paths forward for in vivo strategies, including the hurdles that continue to shape adoption.

Join us at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre to engage with one of the field’s pioneers and explore what it will take to translate innovation into dependable therapies for patients across the region.

Plenary Sessions

Plenary 2 — From Journal Paper to Patients - Translating CAR T TCR and Gene Therapy Innovation Plenary 2 — From Journal Paper to Patients - Translating CAR T TCR and Gene Therapy Innovation

Session Description

Recent high impact research in CAR T engineering, TCR therapy, and gene therapy platforms is now driving real clinical translation across the Asia Pacific region. This session highlights evidence based advances that expand indications beyond oncology, improve durability and persistence, and strengthen vector design and manufacturability. Speakers will present practical insights to help regional programs translate cutting edge research into scalable, regulator ready therapies.

Session Objectives

  1. Identify key scientific advances in CAR T, TCR, and gene therapy platforms, including CD7 CAR T strategies, CAR T applications beyond oncology, receptor selection principles, and innovations in vector design and delivery.
  2. Understand how recent peer reviewed clinical and translational studies address challenges such as durability, toxicity, fratricide, and manufacturability.
  3. Apply insights from high impact research to develop scalable, regulator-ready cell and gene therapy programs relevant to clinical translation in the Asia Pacific region.
Plenary 3 — Cutting Edge Technologies Transforming Cell Therapy Manufacturing Plenary 3 — Cutting Edge Technologies Transforming Cell Therapy Manufacturing

Session Description

Asia is rapidly adopting advanced cell manufacturing technologies to support the expansion of cell and gene therapies, driven by innovations in AI, automation, and QbD-based manufacturing. This session will highlight practical approaches for automated production, selection of scale up and scale out strategies, and regulatory considerations for implementing new technologies. Speakers will provide insights to help regional programs build efficient, compliant, and scalable manufacturing systems.

Session Objectives

  1. Introduce QbD-based approaches for modern cell manufacturing in the Asia region.
  2. Understand the usability and limitations of AI-based and automated manufacturing technologies from a regulatory perspective.
  3. Learn how to evaluate and select scale up and scale out strategies for efficient and compliant CGT production.
Plenary 1 — Delivering Clinically Ready MSC-Exosomes for Real-World Use Plenary 1 — Delivering Clinically Ready MSC-Exosomes for Real-World Use

Session Description

MSC-derived exosomes are rapidly moving toward clinical and commercial application, particularly within Asia’s fast-growing regenerative medicine ecosystem. This session provides practical insights into solving core challenges in MSC-exosome development, including MSC source heterogeneity, scalable GMP manufacturing, and defining meaningful potency and identity CQAs. Speakers will present emerging evidence on mechanisms of action and outline regulatory pathways that support consistent, clinically deployable products. Attendees will gain clear, actionable guidance for advancing MSC-exosome therapies from innovation to real-world clinical use.

Session Objectives

  1. Asia has strong political, financial, and institutional investment in regenerative medicine, with MSC-exosome programs moving rapidly toward clinical and commercial use.
  2. The region hosts a large number of early clinical applications and commercial offerings, creating an urgent need for scientific, manufacturing, and regulatory rigor.
  3. Asia is well positioned to shape global standards for scalable manufacturing, potency definition, and regulatory frameworks for MSC-exosomes.

Concurrent Sessions

CONCURRENT SESSION Expanding the Reach of CAR-T Cell Therapy: Clinical Advances and Manufacturing Innovation ▾

Gain a rare, end-to-end view of China's CAR-T landscape, spanning real-world clinical outcomes and manufacturing innovation. This session connects advances in addressing CAR-T durability and safety with scalable manufacturing approaches and emerging indications, including solid tumors, offering practical lessons that extend beyond publications for teams operating in Asia and globally.

Speakers
Kai-Yan Liu

Kai-Yan Liu, MD, PhD

Lu Daopei Hospital, China

Alex Chang

Alex H. Chang, PhD

YaKe Biotech, China

Changsong Qi

Changsong Qi, PhD

Peking University Cancer Hospital, China

CONCURRENT SESSION Bringing Cellular Immunotherapy to More Patients: Improving Potency While Controlling Cost ▾

This session examines emerging strategies to make cellular immunotherapy more clinically and economically accessible. It brings together advances that extend cellular therapies beyond oncology, enhance cell function without permanent genetic modification, and streamline manufacturing to reduce cost and shorten vein-to-vein time. By integrating clinical experience, molecular innovation, and process optimization, the session highlights practical pathways to deliver potent therapies at a scale and cost that support broader patient access.

Speakers
Yosef Refaeli

Yosef Refaeli, PhD

Ascensus Therapeutics, Inc., United States

Yuchen Zhou

Yuchen Zhou, PhD

Applied Cells, United States

CONCURRENT SESSION Human Biology in a Dish: iPSC and Organoid Models Transforming Preclinical Testing and Therapeutics Development ▾

Explore how iPSC-derived organoids and multicellular tissue models are reshaping preclinical testing and therapeutics development by re-creating complex human organ systems, reducing reliance on animal studies and improving translational predictability. This session reviews scientific maturity, emerging applications, and the evolving regulatory landscape, while candidly addressing current limitations and gaps in developing and producing human-relevant iPSC and organoid-based systems.

Speakers
Maki Kumagai

Maki Kumagai, MSc

Osaka University Division of Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Japan

Kyung Jin Lee

Kyung Jin Lee, PhD

OrganoidSciences, South Korea

CONCURRENT SESSION Uncovering the Preclinical Evidence Behind the Multi-Indication Therapeutic Promise of MSC Exosomes ▾

Assess the state of MSC-derived exosomes as cell-free biologics with multi-indication potential. This session will discuss the scientific rationale underlying the pleiotropic activity of MSC-derived exosomes, linking mechanistic insights and preclinical validation to potency assessment strategies required for successful clinical translation.

Co-chair
Bernd Giebel

Bernd Giebel, PhD

University Hospital Essen (Universitätsklinikum Essen), University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Speakers
Qingling Fu

Qingling Fu, PhD

The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China

Thai-Yen Ling

Thai-Yen Ling, PhD

National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taiwan

CONCURRENT SESSION Regenerative Medicine in Action: Translating Tissue-Specific Regeneration from Bench to Bedside ▾

Moving past proof-of-concept, tissue-specific regenerative platforms across musculoskeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems are now demonstrating meaningful clinical impact. This cross-disciplinary session explores how these emerging cell, gene, and biologic therapies are reshaping chronic disease management, highlighting key translational milestones, regional regulatory progress, and pivotal clinical outcomes.

Speakers
Jodhbir S Mehta

Jod S Mehta, BSc (Hons.), MBBS, PhD, FRCOphth, FRCS (Ed), FAMS, FARVO

Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore

CONCURRENT SESSION Bending the Cost Curve in CGT: Viral Vectors, GMP Cell Banks, and Early Technology Adoption ▾

Transform COGS from a barrier into a competitive advantage. This practical session identifies the primary cost drivers in CGT manufacturing and connects them to actionable levers: high-yield viral vector production, optimized GMP cell banking, and data-driven automated process development. Leave with a prioritized playbook to reduce costs, accelerate time-to-clinic, and ensure your process remains fully GMP-compliant and comparability-ready.

Speakers
Lucas Chan

Lucas Chan, PhD

Lucas Chan Consulting Pte Ltd, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Sarah Ho

Sarah Ho, PhD

AGeM Bio, Singapore

Jaichandran Sivaligam

Jaichandran Sivaligam, PhD

A*STAR Bioprocess Technology Institute, Singapore

CONCURRENT SESSION Centralized or Point-of-Care? The Models Shaping Asia's Next Wave of CGT Manufacturing ▾

Compare centralized and point-of-care manufacturing through the lenses of cost, safety, release timelines, and system readiness in diverse Asian healthcare settings. Learn where each model excels, what standardization and training require, and how programs are navigating approvals and operational realities to expand patient access.

Speakers
Usanarat Anurathapan

Usanarat Anurathapan, MD

Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand

Nguyen Thanh Liem

Nguyen Thanh Liem, MD, PhD

Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy, Vinmec Healthcare System, Vietnam

CONCURRENT SESSION Accelerating the CGT Translational Pathway: Integrating AI and Autonomous Systems ▾

This session examines the critical role of artificial intelligence and automation in bridging the gap between discovery and clinical delivery. Experts will discuss the transition toward autonomous, robotic closed-loop manufacturing, AI-augmented prognostic modeling for clinical decision support, and the digital infrastructure required to scale next-generation therapies. By evaluating the Asia-Pacific landscape, the session provides a roadmap for operationalizing precision-built advanced therapies on a global scale.

Speakers
Genki Kanda

Genki N. Kanda, PhD

Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan

Additional Sessions to be Announced