Moderator: Renaud Manuguerra-Gagné, Scientific Journalist
Co-Moderator to be confirmed

Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from a buzzword to a powerful operational tool in cell and gene therapy (CGT). Developers are harnessing machine learning to predict cell behavior, optimize manufacturing conditions, identify critical biomarkers, and de-risk early-stage development. This session will explore practical ways to leverage AI across the CGT lifecycle, with the goal of helping attendees leave with one clear, actionable step to begin—or advance—their AI journey.

Irene Rombel, CEO and Co-founder, BioCurie

AI promises to transform cell and gene therapy development, but what’s realistic today, and what remains aspirational? This session explores where AI is already delivering value in CGT research, manufacturing, and quality systems, and where its potential is still unfolding. Attendees will gain a grounded perspective on how to separate genuine progress from hype and identify meaningful opportunities to apply AI in their own work.

Speaker to be confirmed. 

Define practical data requirements for training useful AI tools in diagnostics, discovery or product development (e.g., cell imaging, process data, omics).

Ohad Karnieli, Founder & CEO, ADVA Biotechnology

Define how we can use AI to automate processes and analytics in the world of cell and gene therapies.

• Irene Rombel, CEO and Co-founder, BioCurie
• Ohad Karnieli, ADVA Biotechnology
• Panelist to be confirmed

Speaker to be confirmed

Dr. Denis-Claude Roy, CEO, CellCAN

This session provides an overview of Canada’s academic manufacturing ecosystem and how it supports the translation of cell therapies from research to clinical trials. Attendees will gain insight into the infrastructure, collaborations, and innovations that feed the national pipeline and drive advanced therapies toward patients.

Moderator: Renaud Manuguerra-Gagné, Scientific Journalist
Co-Moderator to be confirmed

 The science is proven - cell and gene therapies work. The next challenge is manufacturing them at scale. As the field shifts from clinical success to commercial readiness, the focus turns to building processes that are consistent, cost-effective, and globally scalable.

Speaker to be confirmed

This session examines the current landscape of immunotherapy manufacturing across autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo approaches. Attendees will explore capacity challenges, cost of goods considerations, and strategies to scale production efficiently while maintaining quality and accessibility.

Sponsored talk:

Jean-Sébastien Delisle M.D., Ph.D.
Director at ThéCell
Medical Director at CETC

After completing his medical and hematology training in 2004 at McGill University, and his PhD in biomedical sciences at the Université de Montréal in 2010, Dr. Delisle focused his research on T-cell biology and human T-cell adoptive therapy. He now leads a research program in T-cell biology and translational T-cell immunotherapy at HMR and is the Medical Director of the Centre of Excellence for Cellular Therapy (CECT), a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) cell processing facility. Dr Delisle is also the recently appointed Director of the Québec Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy network (ThéCell), province-wide research group supported by the FRQS and regrouping more than 120 researchers.

Speaker to be confirmed

As cell and gene therapies move toward commercial-scale production, automation becomes critical for efficiency, consistency, and cost control. This session will explore real-world examples of large-scale automated manufacturing, highlighting the technologies, workflows, and strategies that make high-throughput, high-quality production possible.

Speaker to be confirmed

Successful cell and gene therapies start with scalable design. This session will explore strategies for integrating commercial-scale considerations early in development, from process design to manufacturing and supply chain, helping developers avoid costly redesigns and accelerate the path from lab to market.

Panelists to be confirmed

All participants are invited to this Networking event where food and beverages will be served. This is a great way to check out the different exhibitors, network and have fun! 

Moderator: Renaud Manuguerra-Gagné, Scientific Journalist
Co-Moderator: Benoit Larose

As healthcare systems face mounting financial pressure, payors are redefining how they evaluate premium therapies - especially one-time treatments with uncertain long-term benefit. This session offers a forward-looking view of market access in 2026 and the strategies innovators need to stay competitive.

Speaker to be confirmed.
Single payment, pay only if efficacious, how is the market changing its mindset for our specific industry?

Speaker to be confirmed

R&D ROI, COGs, Profitability, QALY - helper session on understanding why these drugs get so expensive.

Speaker to be confirmed
Expand cell therapies to developing economies.

• Panelist to be confirmed

Speaker to be confirmed
Gap in workforce is closing slowly, but we are not ready for 2030. Come up with a plan to reach that inflection point.

Moderator: Renaud Manuguerra-Gagné
Co-Moderator to be confirmed

With CGT activity accelerating, Canada must address talent constraints, ensure manufacturing capability, and unify infrastructure to support the therapies of 2030. This session examines the national, long-term planning required to sustain and strengthen the pipeline.

Speaker to be confirmed
Showcase the Top 5 start ups in CGT.

Speaker to be confirmed
In a more risk adverse economy, how can the public and the private sector corporate to stay competitive with nations like the US or China?

Speaker to be confirmed

Speaker to be confirmed
At a time of global economic turmoil, Canada could and should be a reliable partner. How to better sell ourselves internationally.