Expert Roundtable: analytical tools for cell and gene therapy: what’s new and what’s next?

Sarah Snykers

Cell Therapy Manufacturing Unit Director, Celyad

Sarah Snykers is Director of the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Unit at Celyad, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapies for cancer. She has over 10 years of experience in cell therapy, biomedical research, development and quality control. She is a pharmacist from education and has a PhD in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, specialized in stem cell biology. In 2010, she joined Promethera BioSciences, a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of cell therapy products based on allogeneic adult stem cell technology to treat liver diseases. She headed the R&D, QC and Preclinical Departments. In 2015, she joined Celyad. Sarah initially led the immune-oncology program at R&D level, focused on technology transfer, product characterization and optimization. In 2016, she became Head of the QC Department, covering release of clinical products and raw material, analytical method development and translational research activities. In 2020, all operational activities including Production, QC, Validation and Tech transfer of processes, methods, equipment, raw material and viral vector became under her responsibility.

Andrea Moore

Executive Director of Analytical Sciences, Tmunity Therapeutics

Andrea Moore is the Executive Director of Analytical Sciences at Tmunity Therapeutics. Since joining the team in July 2018, Andrea has been leading the development of all core analytical functions for Tmunity, including product characterization, method development, and functional assessment strategies. Previously, Andrea was a leader in the Analytical Development group at WuXi Advanced Therapies, where she led an integrated team to develop novel assays for a wide variety of cell and gene therapies. Andrea earned her bachelor’s in Biology from King’s College in Wilkes Barre, PA and her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Temple University.

Tony Bou Kheir

Lead Technical Scientist, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

Tony Bou Kheir leads the analytical development programme at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and has 10 years’ experience in the design, development, and application of novel analytics to support product characterization. In his current role Tony leads a research and development team focused on improving AAV manufacture through the integration of new technologies for in-process testing and the development of more accurate and robust assays for product release. His team also oversees assay qualification and technology transfer to third party GMP facilities and CDMOs.

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