MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., February 2020 – Be The Match BioTherapies® participated in Phacilitate: Leaders World 2020 in Miami, Fla. The conference offered many opportunities for the team to connect with and learn from companies and organizations leading innovation and acceleration in the cell and gene therapy industry. The effect of cellular starting material quality was clearly on people’s minds as it was standing-room-only at the Twilight Briefing covering the topic.

Twilight Briefing offers unique perspectives on downstream effect of starting material quality

Be The Match BioTherapies led the Twilight Briefing discussion with four industry experts on Jan. 23. The briefing—which more than 125 people attended—focused on how starting material quality impacts the manufacturing and success of next-generation cell therapies.

The Twilight Briefing panelists included:

  • Elizabeth Jansen, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Cell and Gene Therapies, Lonza
  • Steve Goodman, PhD, Senior Director, Drug Product Manufacturing, bluebird bio
  • Marty Giedlin, PhD, Consultant, Cell & Gene Therapy CMC
  • Derek Hei, PhD, Chief Manufacturing and Technical Operations Officer, BlueRock Therapeutics

Chris McClain, Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Be The Match BioTherapies, chaired the discussion.

Following the Twilight Briefing, Be The Match BioTherapies and Akron Biotech co-hosted a reception for Phacilitate attendees. The reception focused on the delivery of allogeneic cell therapies. Attendees shared current best practices, identified barriers to allogeneic cell therapy development and discussed potential improvements for the future.

Panel highlights the importance of cell therapy industry and healthcare partnerships

Joy Aho, PhD, Senior Product Manager, Be The Match BioTherapies, participated in a panel focused on how industry and healthcare partnerships can benefit the patient.

During her spotlight presentation, Aho explained the positive impact established relationships have on the facilitation of cellular therapies. Attendees learned how closely collaborating with collection and transplant centers while building relationships with logistics entities helps ensure success at any stage of the cell and gene therapy supply chain.

Additional panelists included:

  • Nicole A. Aqui, MD, UPenn
  • Allison Montalvo, Tmunity
  • Janet Marchibroda, Alliance for Cell Therapy Now

Phyllis Warkentin, MD, Medical Director, FACT, chaired the panel.

About Be The Match BioTherapies

At Be The Match BioTherapies, saving lives through cellular therapy means partnering with global leaders to deliver high-quality autologous and allogeneic treatments to patients in need. Contact our team to discover how, together, we can bring your life-changing therapies to patients sooner.