Conference Day Two - Friday | February 21, 2025

8:00 am Check-In & Coffee

8:55 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Uncovering Scalability & Commercialization of Viral Vector Production While Achieving Higher Yields for Enhanced Market Access

9:00 am Panel Discussion: Bridging Perspectives on Collaborating for Scalable Solutions in Viral Vector Manufacturing

  • Matthew Weaver Vice President - Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls Development, Spirovant Sciences
  • Tony Chikere Director - Vector Process Development, Sangamo Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Capacity Constraints in Bioreactors: Discuss the limitations in operating bioreactors beyond 500 liters and the impact on production scalability
  • Inefficiencies in Current Production Strategies: Examine the challenges and costs associated with aggregating multiple smaller runs, highlighting the need for more effective manufacturing solutions
  • Innovative Solutions for Tech Transfer: Explore best practices for technology transfer and collaborative approaches between service providers and manufacturers to enhance efficiency and overcome logistical hurdles in scaling up production 

10:00 am Streamlining Tech Transfer in Viral Vector Manufacturing to Prevent Introduction of Quality Variations

  • Tony Chikere Director - Vector Process Development, Sangamo Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Implement standardized protocols for tech transfer that encompass detailed risk assessments and process validation to ensure seamless transitions between manufacturing sites while maintaining quality and compliance
  • Focus on developing cross-functional training programs that equip teams with the necessary expertise in viral vector production, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing to uphold quality standards during transitions
  • Design and utilize flexible quality management systems that adapt to changes in manufacturing processes, incorporating real-time monitoring and robust documentation practices to ensure product integrity and regulatory adherence

10:30 am Standardized Full Capsid Enrichment & PCR Sample Preparation Platforms for AAV Process Development

Presented by Teknova

Synopsis

  • Outlining the need for standardization in the manufacturing of AAV gene therapies to ensure reproducible and scalable processes
  • Demonstrating two products to provide a platform solution for critical steps within the AAV workflow
  • Presenting a serotype specific AEX buffer screening kit to facilitate quick and scalable identification of the optimal equilibration and elution formulation needed for high recovery and purity
  • Illustrating a standardized AAV sample preparation platform for use in PCR applications that demonstrates robustness across serotypes and steps within the manufacturing workflow

11:00 am Morning Break & Networking

11:45 am The Trend of Plasmid-based AAV Manufacturing in HEK293 Cells

  • Hao Liu Viral Vector Core Senior Research Associate III, UMass Gene Therapy Center

Synopsis

  • Current challenges in plasmid-based AAV manufacturing platforms
  • Technical innovations that improve rAAV titer and purity with reduced cost
  • Potential future directions towards off-the-shelf AAV manufacturing

12:45 pm Presentation by NanoFCM

Synopsis

  •  Session and speaker details to be announced

1:00 pm Lunch Break & Networking

Leveraging Advanced Viral Vector Platform Technologies & New Therapeutic Modalities to Reduce Time-To-Market & Delivering More Effective Treatments

2:00 pm Novel Approach to Treating Rare Disease Using an AAV Vector to Deliver Gene Editing Tools to the Brain

  • April Sena Vice President - Technical Operations, Life Edit Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Provide overview of the development of LETI-101, a preclinical stage AAV5-delivered Life Edit® nuclease and guide RNA for mutant allele-specific editing in Huntington’s Disease
  • Share approach for assessing manufacturability of LETI-101 through linking preclinical and CMC efforts
  • Discuss the importance of biotech “owning” the future CMC problems at an early stage of pharmaceutical development to de-risk clinical trials and commercialization 

2:30 pm CMC Strategies for Ensuring AAV Vector Potency and Infectivity in Gene Therapy

  • Valerie Ng Associate Director, Regulatory CMC, Kite, a Gilead Company

Synopsis

  • Potency Assays for AAV Vectors: Discuss the development and validation of reliable potency assays to ensure that AAV vectors retain their ability to effectively transduce target cells and deliver the therapeutic gene
  • Balancing Yield and Infectivity: Address the challenges of maximizing viral yield without compromising infectivity, focusing on process optimization, transfection efficiency, and the importance of maintaining high-quality vector production
  • Quality Control and Regulatory Alignment: Highlight best practices for aligning manufacturing processes with regulatory expectations for quality control, potency testing, and infectivity assessments in clinical development

3:00 pm Afternoon Break & Networking

3:30 pm Unlocking Potential: The Promise of Transient Transfection in Viral Vector Production

Synopsis

  • Transient transfection enables rapid generation of viral vectors, eliminating the lengthy stable cell line development process and facilitating quicker access to early-stage research and clinical trials
  • This method allows for easy modifications and testing of various vector constructs, empowering researchers to tailor vectors for specific applications and enhance performance through iterative design
  • With the potential for significant viral yields and reduced production costs, transient transfection offers an efficient alternative for both small-scale and large-scale production of viral vectors, addressing the growing demand in gene and cell therapies

4:00 pm Overcoming Downstream Impurity Challenges in Lentiviral Manufacturing: A Point-of-Use Approach

  • Michael Datillo Senior Investigator, Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing Excellence, Johnson & Johnson

Synopsis

  • Sharing insights from the point of use on common impurities faced during lentiviral vector production, such as residual host cell proteins, DNA, and product-related contaminants, and their practical impact on downstream processes
  • Highlighting effective, on-the-ground strategies for dealing with impurities, from optimizing filtration methods to implementing process control techniques that ensure the purity of lentiviral vectors in real-time
  • Discussing the challenges and solutions for ensuring impurity control and product consistency during scale-up, with a focus on practical techniques and decisions made in the lab or manufacturing environment to meet regulatory requirements

4:30 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

4:45 pm End of Conference