Joaquim Vives, PhD
Contributing Editor, ISCT Telegraft
Ban de Sang i Teixits
Spain
Today, as I reflect on our recent milestones in Madrid and Bangkok, I am struck by a linguistic duality: while the world outside our labs feels like a threat, the scientific community we have built is a thread—one that is resilient, interconnected and durable. Our "strength" is not just found in the potency of our cells, but in the tenacity of our global network. This spring, that thread has pulled us from the wide-reaching pavilions of IFEMA of Madrid to the vibrant energy of Bangkok, and it now leads us toward our ultimate gathering in Dublin.
Madrid: The Precision of Potency
Our journey began at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the EBMT in Madrid. In a collaborative joint session between EBMT and ISCT, I had the privilege of sharing the stage with Dr. Raffaella Greco and ISCT EU Regional Vice-President Dr. Dominique Farge. We tackled one of the most persistent hurdles in our field: potency assays. Science is rarely a solo endeavour. Presenting work from my lab on how we measure the "strength" of cell-based therapies underscored a vital truth: without standardized, rigorous metrics, the most promising research will stall at the clinic door. The dialogue in Madrid was a testament to the synergy between haematologists and cell therapists, a partnership that remains the bedrock of our success.
From left to right: Dr. Joaquim Vives, Dr. Dominique Farge, and Dr. Rafaella Greco. Dr. Mark Lowdell participated virtually in the EBMT-ISCT joint session.
Bangkok: Bridging the Translational Divide
Following Madrid, the momentum shifted to the Chula ATMP Symposium 2026 in Bangkok. Hosted at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, this event was a masterclass in regional leadership and global integration, brilliantly orchestrated by Dr. Chaiyong Koaykul.
The symposium brought together the present, and future of ISCT leadership. I was honoured to present my experience in de developing cell-based therapies at the Banc de Sang i Teixits in Barcelona. Sharing the podium with ISCT President-Elect, Prof. Daniel J. Weiss, and ISCT Asia Regional Vice President, Dr. Pawan K. Gupta, who provided a 360-degree view of the field. From Prof. Weiss’s insights into the future of MSC applications, to Dr. Gupta’s roadmap for product approval in India, the message was clear: the path to the patient is paved with regulatory clarity and cross-border knowledge sharing.
From left to right: Dr. Chaiyong Koaykul , Prof. Daniel J. Weiss, Dr. Pawan K. Gupta, and Dr. Joaquim Vives.
A Call to the Next Generation: Dublin Awaits
To our Early Stage Professionals (ESPs): these meetings are more than just line items on a CV. They are where the "hidden curriculum" of our field is taught. It is where you learn that a regulatory dossier is as much "work-of-art" as it is a "scientific document." The Madrid-Bangkok-Dublin connection is not just about geography, it is about the evolution of an idea. We have discussed the "how?" (potency) and the "where?" (regulatory pathways). Now, it is time for the "who?"
We are headed to ISCT 2026 in Dublin. This is the moment to transition from being a spectator to a participant. The challenges of scaling production and navigating regulations require fresh perspectives and digital-native thinking. Dublin is where we will consolidate these global lessons into actionable therapies.
Join us—bring your data, your doubts, and your vibe. The global ATMP discussion is happening now, and we need your voice in the room.
See you in Dublin!
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