CELL & GENE THERAPY REVOLUTION Building for impact

CellCAN is proud to announce the 4th edition of its pan-Canadian Strategic Forum

This premier event convenes national and international leaders to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in biomanufacturing advanced therapies, including cell and gene therapies, mRNA vaccines, complex biologics and bio-printed tissue therapeutics.

 

Key themes for the 2026 Forum will include:

 

  • Scaling Domestic Biomanufacturing Capacity: Strategies to enhance Canada's infrastructure for producing advanced therapies, ensuring readiness for future health needs.
  • Bridging Talent Gaps: Addressing the critical need for skilled professionals in biomanufacturing, with insights.
  • Fostering Industry-Academia Collaboration: Exploring models to strengthen partnerships between research institutions and industry to accelerate innovation and commercialization.
  • Enhancing Regulatory Frameworks: Discussing approaches to streamline regulatory processes, facilitating efficient development and approval of advanced therapies.
  • Integrating Digital Technologies: Examining the role of AI, digital twins and machine learning in optimizing biomanufacturing processes and ensuring quality control.
  • Venue Laval, QC, Canada
  • Date & Time April 7 to 9, 2026
  • Speakers 25 Professionals
  • Seats 200 People

Registration Fees

All prices are in Canadian Dollars. Does not include applicable taxes. Please note the early bird registration deadline is December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM PDT.
Registration will close on March 20th, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.

Trainee
Post-Doc Fee
Patients
Patient Groups
TMM special rate (end of Nov 2025)

$595

Register
Employee of one of CellCAN Network Affiliates Center
TMM special rate (end of Nov 2025)

$775

Register
General Fee
Industry
Not-for-Profit
Government
Other
TMM special rate (end of Nov 2025)

$995

Register
Sponsor (additional registration)


$800

Register

Sponsors

Partner/Platinum

Silver

Bronze

Supporters

Event Schedules

This is a preliminary program. As speakers and talks are confirmed, the schedule will be updated.
We encourage you to check back often for the latest information.

13:00 - 17:00 Logistic

Exhibitors are invited to setup their booths or tables. 

Location: La Lavalloise
13:00 - 17:30 Special Event

More to come...

Location: Oustide location
17:00 - 17:30 Special Event

Speaker to be confirmed.

Location: Laval 3
17:30 - 18:30 Conference

Opening plenary - Speaker(s) to be confirmed

Location: Laval 3
18:30 - 21:00 Meals & Networking

All participants are invited to this Welcome reception where food and beverages will be served. This is a great way to kickoff the event and to gather with old and new friends!

Location: La Lavalloise
07:30 - 08:30 Meals & Networking

Location: Laval 1 & 2
08:30 - 12:00 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
09:00 - 09:30 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
09:30 - 10:00 Conference

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).

Location: Laval 3
10:00 - 10:30 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
10:30 - 10:45 Meals & Networking

Location: La Lavalloise
10:45 - 11:30 Conference

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

Location: Laval 3
11:30 - 12:00 Conference

Speaker to be confirmed

Location: Laval 3
12:00 - 13:15 Meals & Networking

Location: Laval 1 & 2
13:15 - 13:45 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
13:15 - 17:00 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
13:45 - 14:15 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
14:15 - 14:45 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
15:00 - 15:30 Conference

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.

Location: Laval 3
15:30 - 16:15 Conference

Panelists to be confirmed

Location:
18:00 - 21:00 Meals & Networking

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! 

Location: La Lavalloise
07:30 - 08:30 Meals & Networking

Location: Laval 1 & 2
08:30 - 12:00 Conference

Speakers and talks coming soon...

Location: Laval 3
12:00 - 13:15 Meals & Networking

Location: Laval 1 & 2
13:15 - 16:45 Conference

Speakers and talks coming soon...

Location: Laval 3
  • Sheraton Laval Hotel
  • +14506872440