Tuesday March 10 - PT (Pacific Time, GMT-08:00)
- Dong Seong Cho - Technical Development Associate Scientist, Genentech
- Kathryn Beal - Principal Scientist: Process Development, Pfizer, Inc.
- Bernhard Palsson - Professor, Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego
- Neil McCracken, Ph.D - Principal Research Scientist, Upstream Process Development Group Leader, Elanco Animal Health
- Lianchun Fan, Ph D. - Research Fellow, Head of Cellular & Molecular Biology Science, Biologics Development Launch, Abbvie Bioresearch Center
- Prasad Pathange - Senior Manager, Bayer U.S.
- Yuxiang (Henry) Zhao - Senior Scientist, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Digital twins are revolutionizing manufacturing by creating virtual replicas of processes, enabling rapid scenario testing, de-risking tech transfer, and accelerating scale-up. This session will feature case studies on how advanced analytics and hybrid models (mechanistic + AI/ML) are driving more efficient process development, reducing variability, and lowering costs. Discussion will include regulatory perspectives and cross-functional adoption strategies.
- Joseph Pekny - Professor, Chemical Engineering, Purdue University
- Renee Chen - Senior Scientist, AbbVie
- Running multiple cycles on smaller chromatography columns in dual column mode, as well as connecting multiple unit operations together in continuous fashion is a strategy to enable processing of the additional mass entering the downstream process from intensified fed batch bioreactors.
- Continuous multi-cycle operation ensures that the processing time meets or even exceeds that of standard batch methods, enabling facilities to meet their required run rates without compromising purity or yield.
- The reduction in chromatography resin volume and buffer usage enables a reduced facility footprint and lower cost of goods of manufacturing, while also improving sustainability initiatives
- Chris Afdahl - Associate Director, AstraZeneca
- Mahendra Rao - Chief Scientific Officer, Vita Therapeutics/Forza
- Yanling Wang - Sr. Director of Synthetic Biology, Protein Expression, Henlius
Experts will discuss how automation, AI, and novel platforms will reshape CLD by 2030. Emphasis on workforce evolution and Bioprocessing 4.0.
- Kathryn Beal - Principal Scientist: Process Development, Pfizer, Inc.
- Jara Lin - Executive Director, BeOne Medicines
- Erin Weisenhorn - Senior Scientist II, Just Evotec Biologics
- Continuous downstream processing based on capture via target precipitation and polish via flowthrough chromatography offers a low cost-of-goods, low process mass index, and low complexity pathway to monoclonal antibody manufacture.
- Yield, purity, and throughput metrics for the precipitation-based process compare favorably to those for platform Protein A downstream processes.
- Capture via precipitation is broadly applicable to monoclonal antibodies and antibody-like therapeutics.
- The process development workflow in terms of selection of precipitant conditions and polishing resins is straightforward.
- Yuncan (Olivia) Zhu - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- David Scherr - Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca
- When and how to plan for commercialization of your product
- Modeling supply needs and COGS of your product
- Key supply chain consideration to study early in development to improve patient access
- Jenny Holt - Chief Development Officer, Ray Therapeutics
A forward-looking discussion on how manufacturing innovation, digitalization, and improved supply chains can expand patient access and to viable business cases.
- Hui-Lan Hu - Associate Principal Scientist, AstraZeneca
- Satish Kallappagoudar - Associate Principal Scientist, Merck
- Yuxin Liu - Scientist, Cell Culture Platform, Sanofi
- Nathan Lewis - GRA Eminent Scholar and Professor, University of Georgia
- Christoph Herwig - Senior Scientific Advisor, Körber Pharma Austria GmbH, Austria
- Jing Wang - Senior Scientist, Regeneron
- Lateefat Kayejaye - Graduate Research Assistant, Stevens Institute of Technology
- Mahesh Bule - Associate Director, Kite Pharma a Gilead Company
- Carlos Arbelaez - Associate Director, Johnson & Johnson
- Zheng Zhang - Head of Cell Line Development, BeiGene
- Lianchun Fan, Ph D. - Research Fellow, Head of Cellular & Molecular Biology Science, Biologics Development Launch, Abbvie Bioresearch Center
Industry and regulatory experts will address how CLD can be designed to anticipate lifecycle changes, comparability, and commercial scalability, with emphasis on drug substance and drug product integration.
- Lin Zhang - Scientist, Merck
- Cindy Chelius, Ph.D. - Senior Scientist, Upstream Bioprocess Development, Global Product Development & Supply, Bristol Myers Squibb
This panel will move beyond the “which is better” debate to address how leading companies evaluate and select the right upstream strategy across their portfolios. Experts will share case studies and business studies on decision-making frameworks, considering factors such as molecule type, clinical phase, cost of goods, regulatory expectations, facility readiness, and long-term scalability. Discussions will also explore the role of modeling, digital twins, and AI-driven analytics in simulating productivity and risk trade-offs between fed-batch, intensified, and fully continuous processes.
- Digital Twin integrates data, models, and process understanding from development through GMP manufacturing.
- Transitioning from post-run analysis to live predictive monitoring and control closes the loop between insight and action.
- Robust data integrity, model validation, and lifecycle management enable regulatory readiness and trust.
- Building model literacy and cross-functional collaboration across R&D, MSAT, QA, and Operations to ensure sustainable technology adoption and culture alignment.
- Yuanyuan Cui - DSD Modeling Manager, Sanofi
- Govind Rao - Professor, Chemical & Biochemical Engineering and Director, Center for Advanced Sensor Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Christoph Herwig - Senior Scientific Advisor, Körber Pharma Austria GmbH, Austria
- David Wood - Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio State University
- Dimple Chavan - Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca
- Stefano Menegatti - Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NC State University, North Carolina State University
- Develop risk-based and science-based analytical control strategy
- Considerations for assay development, qualification and validation
- Considerations for stability and shelf-life studies
- Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
- Jie Wei - Director of Bioanalytical Sciences, Tr1x, Inc.
- Srivatsan Ramesh - Scientist, BridgeBio Gene Therapy
A comparative panel on the unique manufacturing, supply chain, and scalability challenges of autologous vs. allogeneic approaches, with emphasis on future trends and digital tools for decision-making.
