Agenda

View Videos of the Conference:

Plenary Sessions Video

Concurrent Sessions Video

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Photographs by Ed Cunicelli

 

Thursday, June 22, 2023

KEYNOTE  |  PLENARY SESSIONS  |  CONCURRENT SESSIONS  |  EXHIBITS

Time
Session
7:00 am EDT

In-Person:  Check-In
                    Breakfast, Visit Exhibit Hall and View Posters
Virtual:       Log-In and Visit Virtual Exhibit Hall

8:00 am EDT

Welcome Remarks

Carl H. June, MD  |  Penn Medicine  |  Symposium Co-Chair
John L. Jackson Jr., PhD |  University of Pennsylvania
Joseph W. St. Geme, III, MD  |  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Time
Session
8:15 am EDT

Nucleoside-Modified mRNA-LNP Therapies

Drew Weissman, MD, PhD  |  Penn Medicine

Dr. Drew Weissman, a world-renowned expert in mRNA research, will give a talk on the development of nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP (lipid nanoparticle) therapies. These therapies are a promising new approach to treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders.

8:45 am EDT

Discussion    

Moderator: Carl H. June, MD  |  Penn Medicine  |  Symposium Co-Chair


PLENARY SESSION 1: Driving Clinical CAR's

Moderator: David L. Porter, MD  |  Penn Medicine |  Symposium Co-Chair
Time
Session
9:00 am EDT

3 Second Line DLBCL Studies, What Happened and Why

Stephen J. Schuster, MD  |  Penn Medicine

9:20 am EDT

CAR T-Cell Therapy for T Cell ALL

David T. Teachey, MD  |  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

9:40 am EDT

Optimizing Road Conditions to Get Everyone to the Finish Line

Krina K. Patel, MD, MSc  |  MD Anderson Cancer Center 

10:00 am EDT

Discussion


PLENARY SESSION 2: Gene Genies - Engineering Immune Effector Cells

Moderator: Bruce L. Levine, PhD  |  Penn Medicine  |  Symposium Co-Chair

DESCRIPTION
This session will explore the latest advances in CRISPR-based gene editing and its potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases. The speakers will discuss the use of base editing and prime editing to correct mutations in DNA, the development of new CRISPR-based tools for programming cellular machines to sense and treat disease, and the challenges and opportunities of scaling CRISPR-based gene editing to the clinic.

This session is relevant to a wide audience, including scientists, clinicians, and patients. It will provide an overview of the latest advances in CRISPR-based gene editing and its potential to improve the lives of people with genetic diseases.

Time
Session
10:10 am EDT

Base Editing and Prime Editing: Correcting Mutations that Cause Genetic Disease in Cells, Animals, and Patients

David R. Liu, PhD  |  Broad Institute, Harvard University, and HHMI

10:30 am EDT

Programming Cellular Machines to Sense and Treat Disease

Wendell Lim, PhD  |  University of California San Francisco

10:50 am EDT

Scaling the Clinical Promise of CRISPR to the Challenge of N=1 Inborn Errors of Immunity

Fyodor D. Urnov, PhD  |  University of California, Berkeley

11:10 am EDT

Discussion


CONCURRENT SESSIONS I

Time
Session
11:20 am EDT

CHOOSE ONE

There are a total of 5 tracks. Scroll left and right to view all tracks.

Track 1 Pediatric Medical Care

CME-accredited

Track 2 Clinical & Business Operations

Track 3 Nursing Keynotes

CNE-accredited

Track 4 Present and Future Cell Therapies

CME-accredited

Track 5 $tuff You Should Know About Spinning Out and Financing a Cell and Gene Therapy Startup

11:20 am EDT

Track 1 Pediatric Medical Care

CME-accredited
11:20 am EDT

Moderator:
Timothy S. Olson, MD, PhD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
 

DESCRIPTION

  • Dr. Olson will present recent updates in pathogenesis, biomarker development, and novel cell therapy approaches in the diagnosis of acquired aplastic anemia.

  • Dr. Diorio will present how deep proteomics can provide novel insights into the pathophysiology and potential treatments for Cell Therapy associated cytokine release syndrome

  • Dr. Doshi will present new strategies for the use of cell and drug therapies in targeting the elimination of antibodies that interfere with successful in vivo AAV-based gene therapy.

Immune Mediated Bone Marrow Failure
Timothy S. Olson, MD, PhD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Proteomic Analysis of CRS
Caroline Diorio, MD, FRCPC, FAAP
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Novel Approaches for Eradication of AAV Neutralizing Antibodies
Bhavya S. Doshi, MD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Discussion

11:20 am EDT

Track 2 Clinical & Business Operations 11:20 am EDT

Moderator:
Robert (Robb) E. Richards, MS, MBA
University of Pennsylvania


DESCRIPTION

  • Gain a better understanding of clinical, operational, and business challenges onboarding cell and gene therapies

  • Considerations for starting/maintaining a cell and gene therapy program

  • Recommendations for developing cell and gene therapy programs from both the academic and community hospital perspective

LEGAL
Know Your Cell and Gene Therapy Contracts

“Complexities in Agreement Terms” (CART)
Denene M. Wambach, Esq.
University of Pennsylvania
Joline A. Miceli-Mullen, Esq.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Discussion

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Best practices (so far) of Developing Cell and Gene Therapy Programs

Onboarding and Centralizing New Cell and Gene Therapy Products
Mark Duckworth
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Jennifer Harding, MPA
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Expansion into Community
Kaitlyn Lyons
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health


Lancaster General Health Experience with CAR T
Nik Buescher
Penn Medicine


Discussion

11:20 am EDT

Track 3 Nursing Keynotes

CNE-accredited
11:20 am EDT

Moderators:
Patricia Mangan, MSN, CRNP
Penn Medicine
Diane Baniewicz, RN, MSN, CRNP
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


DESCRIPTION


In this session, we will learn how researchers are working to improve CAR T cell therapies by making them more effective, less toxic, and more accessible in treating a wider range of cancers. We will also discuss the fertility preservation options for transplant and immunotherapy patients.

Special Welcome Remarks

Lindsey Zinck, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC
Penn Medicine
Wendy Hobbie, RN, MSN, CRNP, FAAN
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

KEYNOTES

Making Better CARTs: The progress continues
Jakub Svoboda, MD
Penn Medicine


Fertility Preservation
Alison W. Loren MD, MS
Penn Medicine
Jill P. Ginsberg, MD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Discussion

11:20 am EDT

Track 4 Present and Future Cell Therapies

CME-accredited
11:20 am EDT

Moderator:
Elizabeth O. Hexner, MD, MSTR
Penn Medicine

Cell Therapies of the Present

Toxicity and Toxicity Management
(CRS/Prophylactic and Neurotoxicity)

Noelle V. Frey, MD, MSCE
Penn Medicine
 

CAR T for Multiple Myeloma
Edward A. Stadtmauer, MD
Penn Medicine
 

CAR T Cells in CLL. Why or Why Not?
David L. Porter, MD
Penn Medicine
 

Mechanisms of Resistance? 
Overcoming Resistance?
David B. Miklos, MD, PhD
Stanford University
 

Discussion

11:20 am EDT

Track 5 $tuff You Should Know About Spinning Out and Financing a Cell and Gene Therapy Startup 11:20 am EDT

Moderator:
John S. Swartley, MBA, PhD
University of Pennsylvania


DESCRIPTION

  • Hear from experts who have direct experience founding and financing cell and gene therapy companies

  • Learn more about key steps for success and common pitfalls to avoid

  • Thoughts on the future of the field and startup opportunities moving forward

$tuff You Should Know about Starting Up and Spinning Out a Cell and Gene Biotech


Panel Discussion
Haig Aghajanian, PhD
Capstan Therapeutics
Benjamin Dibling, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Lauren Murdza, Esq.
DLA Piper


BREAK

Time
Session
12:30 pm EDT

Lunch  |  Visit Exhibits


CONCURRENT SESSIONS II

Time
Session
1:30 pm EDT

CHOOSE ONE

There are a total of 5 tracks. Scroll left and right to view all tracks.

Track 1 Pediatric Nursing Care

CNE-accredited

Track 2 Clinical & Business Operations

Track 3 Adult Nursing Care

CNE-accredited

Track 4 Present and Future Cell Therapies

CME-accredited

Track 5 $tuff You Should Know About Spinning Out and Financing a Cell and Gene Therapy Startup

1:30 pm EDT

Track 1 Pediatric Nursing Care

CNE-accredited
1:30 pm EDT

Moderators:
Anne Wohlschlaeger, MSN, RN CRNP
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Houston Roberson, BA
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


DESCRIPTION

  • Considerations and challenges for pediatric patients with malignancies seeking CAR-T based therapies and patients with hemoglobinopathies seeking BMT or cellular based gene therapies

  • Exciting pediatric case reviews of Viral CTL’s, NBL CART and CD19/22 CART

  • An innovative, collaborative approach to the stem cell day infusion procedure

All speakers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Navigation and Coordination of These Complex Therapeutics

Considerations & Challenges for Patients with Malignancies Seeking CAR-T Based Therapies
Brooke Leibfreid, BSN, RN


Considerations & Challenges for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies Seeking BMT or Cellular Based Gene Therapies
Denise Belcher, MBA
Kelly E. Heffner, MSW
Elizabeth A. Worster MSN, CRNP


Case Reviews
Viral CTLs
Barbara McGlynn, BSN, RN
Samantha Barone, MSN, CPNP-AC, CPHON

NBL CART
Diane Baniewicz, RN, MSN, CRNP

CD19/22 CART
Colleen Callahan, RN, MSN, CRNP


Infusing Collaboration:
Stem Cell Infusion Day Procedures

Anna D’Aprile, MSN, RN
Tiffany Ivers, BSN, RN


Discussion

1:30 pm EDT

Track 2 Clinical & Business Operations 1:30 pm EDT

Moderator:
John Simpkins, MBA
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


DESCRIPTION


As the number of Cell and Gene Therapies rapidly emerge, hospital administrators and business teams continue to look for strategies and solutions to navigate this ever-changing treatment landscape. This session will discuss the challenges and best practices to:

  • Onboard new cell and gene therapies

  • How to deliver these products efficiently and safely

  • Best practices and strategies for scaling your cell and gene therapy program

EDUCATION
How do you Organize/Develop Onboarding of Staff/Sites as Cell and Gene Therapy Expands?

Onboarding Staff and new Divisions as Cell and Gene Therapy Expands (Site Perspective)
Beth McBride
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Developing Tools to Widen Patient Access to Complex Therapies (Health System)
Robert (Robb) E. Richards, MS, MBA
University of Pennsylvania


Discussion

OPERATIONS
The Challenges of Operationalizing Cell and Gene Therapies

Strategies and Challenges facing Apheresis and Cell and Gene Therapy Labs
René Machietto, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Mandy Shanahan
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia


Expanding Access to Cell Therapies: Integrating Advanced Treatments into Community Healthcare Settings
Carrie Marvill, MSN, RN, AOCNS, NE-BC
University of Pennsylvania


Discussion

1:30 pm EDT

Track 3 Adult Nursing Care

CNE-accredited
1:30 pm EDT

Moderator:
Patricia Mangan, MSN, CRNP
Penn Medicine  |  Symposium Co-Chair


DESCRIPTION

  • Review the mechanism of action and nursing management of newly approved agents and those currently in clinical trials for hematology malignancies including bispecific antibodies

  • Update on CAR T therapies with a focus on coordination of care of these patients

  • Discuss new approaches to the management of graft vs host disease


All speakers from Penn Medicine

 

Bispecifics
Patricia Mangan, MSN, CRNP


Research in Real Time
Rachel Lundberg, PA-C


Case Reviews

Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease
Linda M. Perry, PA-C

Lymphoma Bispecific Antibody Therapy and Management of CRS
Danielle Land, MSN, CRNP
Mitchell E. Hughes, PharmD, BCOP

 

Navigating the Complexities of CAR-T Care
Elizabeth A. Weber, RN, BSN


Discussion

1:30 pm EDT

Track 4 Present and Future Cell Therapies

CME-accredited
1:30 pm EDT

Moderator:
Saar I. Gill, MD, PhD
Penn Medicine


DESCRIPTION
 

In this session, we will discuss next-generation applications and attributes of cell therapies, including cell engineering to facilitate previously undruggable targets and as novel delivery tools for gene therapy, and imaging infused cells to enhance our understanding of their in vivo behavior.


Cell Therapies of the Future 

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Exosomes for Gene Delivery
Elizabeth J. Shpall, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center


More Than Just T Cells: CAR macrophage or gene engineering of stem cells to generate CAR T resistance
Saar I. Gill, MD, PhD
Penn Medicine


Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells for T Cell Malignancies
Marco Ruella, MD
Penn Medicine


IMAGEining CARs
Michael D. Farwell, MD
Penn Medicine


Discussion

1:30 pm EDT

Track 5 $tuff You Should Know About Spinning Out and Financing a Cell and Gene Therapy Startup 1:30 pm EDT

Moderator:
Asthika Goonewardene, MBA
Truist Securities

$tuff You Should Know about Financing a Cell and Gene Therapy Startup


Panel Discussion
Michael Allwin
Truist Securities
Christiana Bardon, MD, MBA
BioImpact Capital
Carter Caldwell, MBA
Penn Medicine


CONCURRENT SESSIONS III

Time
Session
2:45 pm EDT

CHOOSE ONE

There are a total of 2 tracks. Scroll left and right to view all tracks.

Track 1 Covering the Cost of Cell Therapy: Financing and Advocacy

Track 2 Hot Topics in CAR’s

2:45 pm EDT

Track 1 Covering the Cost of Cell Therapy: Financing and Advocacy 2:45 pm EDT

Moderator:
David L. Porter, MD  |  Penn Medicine  |  Symposium Co-Chair


DESCRIPTION


This session explores the challenges and opportunities of financing cell therapy, and how to advocate for equitable access to this promising treatment. Panelists will discuss the current state of provider solutions for cell therapy and where we need to go to ensure that all patients have access to this care.


Novel Payor Relationships
Kevin B. Mahoney, DBA  |  Penn Medicine

Provider Solutions - Where We Are and Where We Should Be?
Mark Trusheim, MS  |  NEWDIGS 
Claire M. White, MSN, RN  |  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


Striving for Equitable Access – Challenges and Opportunities
Louis J. DeGennaro, PhD  |  Leukemia & Lymphoma Society    


Discussion

2:45 pm EDT

Track 2 Hot Topics in CAR’s 2:45 pm EDT

Moderator:
Bruce L. Levine, PhD  |  Penn Medicine  |  Symposium Co-Chair


DESCRIPTION


This session features leading experts presenting cutting-edge research on innovative approaches in the field of CAR-T therapy. Donald M. O'Rourke, MD, will discuss the promising application of bivalent CARs in treating Glioblastoma, highlighting their potential to enhance efficacy by targeting multiple antigens simultaneously. Neil C. Sheppard D.Phil will explore the exciting combination of CAR-T therapy with oncolytic viruses in solid tumors, demonstrating the synergistic effect of these therapies in improving tumor recognition and immune response. Additionally, Mike C. Milone, MD, PhD, will delve into the development of autoimmune targeted CARs, presenting strategies to engineer CAR-T cells that selectively target and treat autoimmune diseases, offering a new paradigm for precision immunotherapy.


Bivalent CAR’s in Glioblastoma
Donald M. O'Rourke, MD  |  Penn Medicine


Combination of CAR-T and Oncolytic Virus in Solid Tumors
Neil C. Sheppard, DPhil  |  Penn Medicine


Autoimmune Targeted CAR’s
Mike C. Milone, MD, PhD  |  Penn Medicine


Discussion


BREAK

Time
Session
3:45 pm EDT

Visit Exhibits


PLENARY SESSION 3: Global Expansion of CAR T-Cell Therapy

Moderator: Bruce L. Levine, PhD  |  Penn Medicine |  Symposium Co-Chair

DESCRIPTION
The global expansion of CAR T-cell therapy is a rapidly growing field with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cancer. This session will feature a panel of experts from around the world who will discuss the latest advances in CAR T-cell therapy and its potential to improve patient outcomes. The speakers will also discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the global expansion of CAR T-cell therapy, and they will provide insights into the future of this promising treatment.

Time
Session
4:05 pm EDT

Costa Rica

Román Macaya Hayes, PhD  |  Costa Rican Social Security System

4:20 pm EDT

Australia

Simon Harrison, MBBS, MRCP (UK), PhD, FRCPath (UK), FRACP  |  Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

4:35 pm EDT

Middle East

Shahrukh K. Hashmi, MD  |  Mayo Clinic

4:50 pm EDT

India

Arun Anand, MD  |  Immuneel

5:05 pm EDT

Discussion


COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Time
Session
5:15 pm EDT

Please join us for an evening of fun.

6:30 pm EDT

Adjourn