News Hub

Janet Macpherson, PhD
Immediate Past Senior Co-Editor, Telegraft
NSW Health Pathology
Australia

What began in 1992 as a means to connect members of the International Society for Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering (ISHAGE) cross the globe has developed into an accessible global publication on topics related to advanced therapeutics. By tracing its journey from a static printed newsletter mailed out each quarter, to a newsletter delivered via email in various attached or downloadable PDF formats bi-monthly to the current dynamic, digital Telegraft Hub issued each month, we can reflect on our industry shifting from a speculative frontier into a mature, scalable commercial reality. 

As a newbie in cell and gene therapy attending my first ISHAGE meeting in Quebec City in 2001, I recall pleasure in receiving a printed hard copy of the newsletter in the mail. It was a joy to open up the envelope and read the table of contents. Sometimes I’d be very controlled and read the issue from cover to cover in order. In those days of the printed newsletter, the articles might run over a page or more of typeset columns with the final few paragraphs on a page towards the end on the issue, just like the newspapers and magazines of the day.

From Laboratory Circular to Global Authority

In the early days of ISHAGE, the field of cell therapy was largely undefined and highly localized. The newsletter served as a vital connective tissue for a tight-knit community of pioneering laboratory technologists, clinicians, and scientists. It was a vehicle for sharing protocol nuances, early bone marrow transplantation science, and the foundational standards required to safely handle human tissue.

As ISHAGE rebranded to ISCT in 2002 to reflect the broadening horizons of cellular medicine, The Telegraft broadened its scope accordingly. The newsletter transitioned from local lab conversations into a sophisticated ecosystem balancing the societies three core strategic pillars:

• Academic: Translating early-stage science and groundbreaking clinical trials.
• Regulatory: Shaping new regulatory frameworks, and providing global updates, such as flexible CMC guidelines and decentralized manufacturing rules.
• Industry: Addressing the modern realities of commercial scaling, economic investment, and the integration of artificial intelligence in biomanufacturing.
  

Leadership, Legacy, and Digital Transformation

The longevity of Telegraft relies on its volunteer leadership. Guided by an Editorial Board of dedicated senior, associate, and junior editors, the publication has actively prioritized generational mentorship. It functions as a prominent launching pad where early-career researchers routinely publish alongside the industry's founding figures.
This leadership has also driven Telegraft’s technological modernization. The publication moved away from emailing static PDF attachments to launching the interactive ISCT Telegraft Hub. This digital migration allows the editorial team to evaluate member metrics, track top-read trends, and rapidly pivot content to match real-time needs—such as providing highlights and interpretation of major global regulatory approvals and addressing commercial bottlenecks.

Shaping the Future Landscape

Today, Telegraft stands as an educational forum for members by members. As my term as senior co-editor is coming to an end, I thank those who served before, and those who serve now and those who are growing with the field to lead with new initiatives. I thank many including Giuliana Pierson, Steve Noga, Iain Webb, Scott Burger, Bruce Levine, Lynn O’Donnell, Nancy Collins, and my fellow Senior Co-Editor Russell Cruz.  

ISCT has recently announced expansion to include a fourth pillar: clinical. The clinical pillar is meant to focus on developing clinicians to advance the field of cell and gene therapy. 

As we move through 2026, the advanced therapies sector faces a unique dual challenge: scaling up industrial-scale manufacturing while developing highly individualized delivery pathways for ultra-rare diseases. In this complex environment, Telegraft remains an indispensable asset. It ensures that whether an ISCT member is a bench technologist in Sydney, an industry executive in Europe, a regulatory affairs associate in Japan or a clinical fellow in North America, they all have ready access to the critical insights needed to turn technological breakthroughs into safe, accessible, life-saving medicines.

The recently expanded Editorial board is working on several new initiatives and I look forward to opening and reading many more issues of Telegraft.