Main Conference: 28-30 April 2026 | Vienna, Austria
Cell Line Development & Engineering
Engineering high-producing cell lines for complex biologics with AI and CRISPR.
Go Beyond Theory in Host Cell Engineering
The Cell Line Development & Engineering track is a 3-day deep dive into the latest tools and strategies for building faster, more robust cell factories. Hear from global leaders on how they are using CRISPR, multi-gene editing, and AI-driven clone selection to shorten timelines, enhance stability, and tackle hard-to-express proteins like bispecifics and viral vectors.
Session Spotlight: Cell Line Development & Engineering
Glycoengineering for Impact: Selecting Optimal Therapeutic Candidates Using geCHO Technology
Tuesday 28th April 2026 11:45am
Bjørn Voldborg, Director CHO Cell Line Development at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability
Glycosylation plays a critical role in the performance of biologics, influencing potency, immunogenicity, stability, serum half-life, and more. Leveraging glycoengineered CHO (geCHO) cell lines, we have generated panels of therapeutic candidates, including plasma proteins and vaccines, with customized glycosylation. Comparative screening of these glycovariants has revealed substantial differences in potency, enabling the identification of optimal candidates for further development.
Track Themes: A Blueprint for the Cellular Factory
Engineer for Manufacturability
Use "Clean CHO" and advanced CRISPR multi-gene editing to engineer host cells for enhanced manufacturability and a reduced downstream burden.
Achieve Speed to IND
Leverage AI/ML for predictive clone selection and fast-track implementation of new platforms (like transposon systems and directed evolution) to slash pre-clinical timelines.
Master Novel Modalities
Tackle hard-to-express proteins and develop stable producer cell lines for complex modalities, including AAV viral vectors and plant-based systems.
Ensure Long-Term Stability
Go beyond titre and ensure long-term stability by using multi-omics and novel selection markers to predict and prevent genetic drift.
Meet Cell Line Development Leaders
Hear from the senior scientists and academic pioneers who are building the next generation of cell factories.
Explore the full Cell Line Development & Engineering Agenda
Cell Line Development & Engineering: Expert Q&A & Insights
How do transposon systems compare to random integration for CHO cell line development?
Unlike random integration, which can lead to unpredictable expression, transposon systems (such as recombinase-mediated integration) target transcriptionally active sites in the host genome. This results in higher clone homogeneity and long-term stability. This technology is a key alternative for accelerating time-to-IND by ensuring predictable high-titre expression early in the development cycle.
What are the benefits of multiplexed CRISPR editing in host cell engineering?
Multiplexed CRISPR strategies allow scientists to simultaneously modify multiple genes, moving beyond simple single-gene knockouts to create "designer" CHO hosts. This approach can engineer complex traits, such as improved cell viability or tailored glycosylation, though developers must carefully navigate technical challenges like off-target effects and delivery efficiency
How does secretome engineering improve downstream processing?
Secretome engineering utilises tools like advanced proteomics and CRISPR to identify and knock out genes coding for problematic Host Cell Proteins (HCPs). By eliminating these impurities at the source (the cell), manufacturers can create a "cleaner" harvest, reducing the number of purification steps required and lowering chromatography resin consumption.
Can Machine Learning (ML) accurately predict clone performance?
Yes, the industry is increasingly using AI/ML models to find top clones from "Day Zero". By analysing early screening data, these models can predict final clone performance and stability, significantly reducing the number of clones that need to be carried forward into downstream development and validating these workflows for GMP environments.